Do you know someone who receives regular acupuncture treatments and swears by its effectiveness? Maybe you suffer from a medical condition and you’re curious if you could benefit from this age-old treatment method? Mind & Soul Therapy offers acupuncture treatments in Miami and we would love to help you learn more about this form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Contact us today to schedule your consultation and in the meantime, continue reading below to learn more about acupuncture and some of the conditions it can treat.
Acupuncture 101
What Is Acupuncture?
An important component of TCM and form of alternative medicine, acupuncture originated more than 3,000 years ago. The practice is based on the belief that health issues are caused by blockages or disturbances in the body’s life energy. The practice of inserting hair-thin, sterile needles into various acupuncture points restores the flow of this energy, or “qi.”
How Does It Work?
TCM views the world and the human in terms of two opposing forces — yin and yang. When balanced, these two forces coexist harmoniously allowing qi to flow freely along pathways throughout the body. However, in the event that yin and yang are out of balance, qi may meet resistance or be blocked altogether along these pathways. The result can be illness and discomfort.
By restoring qi’s uninterrupted flow throughout the body, acupuncture treatments can be used as a non-surgical alternative to many ailments and conditions. During an acupuncture session, endorphins are released. These are natural pain-relieving chemicals that trigger your body’s natural healing processes. Acupuncture can also have a positive effect on your autonomic nervous system while regulating blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and producing a calming effect.
What Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?
Now that we know a little bit more about what acupuncture is and the basics of the philosophy behind it, let’s take a look at a few of the conditions that it can be used to treat.
Neck and Back Pain
Even the most minor neck and back pain can have an impact on your everyday functioning. Whether you are struggling with the common issues that go along with getting older or you have suffered an acute injury, it is possible that acupuncture can help. By stimulating blood flow, acupuncture treatments can give your body the little jumpstart it needs to start repairing itself on its own without the need for surgery or prescription medications.
Migraines
Are you tired of missing out on important family events because of frequent migraines? Have you found that your migraine medication doesn’t seem to be as effective as it once was at alleviating your symptoms enough so that you can function as you need to at home and at work? If so, acupuncture treatments may help reduce the frequency of episodes and they may also help reduce muscle tension that is associated with migraine headaches.
Arthritis
As we age, our joints become more susceptible to inflammation. This inflammation causes pain and stiffness that we know as arthritis. Whether your arthritis is caused by too much wear and tear on your joints as is the case with osteoarthritis or suffer from the autoimmune disease known as rheumatoid arthritis, it is possible that acupuncture treatments can help reduce pain and inflammation as endorphins are released and blood flow is improved.
Knee Pain
Many individuals experience knee pain in their lives, whether it is because of painful inflammation caused by osteoarthritis or another condition. Prescription pain medications, including opioids, are one of the most common treatments for knee pain. Unfortunately, they can be habit-forming and they can cause extensive damage if used in excess for a long period of time. Acupuncture treatments can provide excellent temporary relief, which is helpful if you are searching for a natural alternative treatment to help manage your pain levels.
Depression and Anxiety
Prescription medications are often the go-to treatment for depression and anxiety. The only trouble is that they often come with a long list of side effects that could make you feel worse than the condition you’re aiming to treat. On the other hand, acupuncture treatments can actually lessen our body’s fight or flight response, lessening the effects of stress hormones that make us feel anxious. Likewise, the endorphins that are released with acupuncture treatments can lessen the symptoms of a depressive episode.
Acupuncture Treatments in Miami
While some might doubt the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating certain medical conditions, both the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the World Health Organization back its efficacy following case-controlled clinical studies. The team here at Mind & Soul Therapy is here to help you awaken your inner balance, both physically and emotionally. We are more than happy to schedule your consultation and meet with you to help you determine if acupuncture treatments are right for you. Contact us today to get started!