How Acupuncture Can Relieve Chronic Pain

If you deal with chronic pain, you probably already know about the struggle to find effective relief. Your family doctor may want to prescribe only opioid painkillers, which don’t completely alleviate the pain and also come with the additional risk of dependence and addiction.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that can effectively manage several types of pain. You may not think this is an option for pain relief, but it could have many potential benefits. The providers at Docere Integrated Medicine explain more about how acupuncture can relieve chronic pain.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a method of traditional Chinese medicine, and its practice has been in use for thousands of years. 

Traditional Chinese acupuncture involves sticking very fine sterile needles into your skin. The needles are inserted at pressure points stimulating energy flow throughout your body. After an acupuncture treatment, which is performed on an outpatient basis, you will likely feel significantly better.

We often slightly twist or move the needles once they’re in place, stimulating endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals.

What acupuncture can treat

Acupuncture can treat and heal several forms of chronic pain. Some of the types of pain that can be treated include:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Fibromyalgia
• Nerve pain (including the pain of shingles)

Acupuncture usually doesn’t immediately cure the pain but works over repeated treatments. Most patients need about 12 sessions.

Are there any risks?

Acupuncture doesn’t have many risks to speak of. Because we use individual, sterile needles for treatment, you don’t have to worry about infections caused by unclean needles.

Most people find that acupuncture relieves pain. Many people are looking into its use as a complementary or alternative medicine and find that it often works well for patients. It’s certainly a better alternative to opioid medications, which leads to dependence or addiction, especially because your body quickly builds a tolerance to them.

According to a 2015 study, 38% of North American adults use complementary or alternative medical treatments, including acupuncture. 

However, you should avoid getting acupuncture treatment if you have a bleeding disorder or a pacemaker and you should ask your OBGYN if it’s safe while you’re pregnant.

Other benefits of acupuncture

Acupuncture has many health benefits, including pain relief. Many people also get relief from other health conditions that trouble them, including depression, anxiety, and low energy.

Many people find that they function more effectively in several aspects of life. They often report that they have more energy to get tasks done in their daily lives and suffer less from depression and anxiety.

People also find that they get relief from other common health conditions, including the following:

• Nausea
• Asthma
• Menstrual cramps
• Arthritis
• Dental pain
• Cancer-related pain

If you want to seek acupuncture for pain relief, contact the providers at Docere Integrated Medicine today or request an appointment online.