The medical world can be funny — creating divisive lines between “Eastern” and “Western” medicine, or “modern medicine” versus “alternative medicine.” Here at Premier Chiropractic, we embrace any method of healing that uses a holistic and integrative approach, one that doesn’t just mask symptoms, but treats the underlying cause. And this is certainly true of acupuncture.
To help you better understand how this ancient art of healing works, here are some of the facts and myths surrounding acupuncture.
The needles hurt
Let’s start with the biggest myth surrounding acupuncture — that it’s a painful procedure as you’re stuck through with large needles. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Our expert team uses tiny, hair-thin, sterile needles, which we insert just deep enough to reach your acupuncture points.
This process can be a little daunting the first time you try it, but you quickly realize that, at worst, you feel a pinch, and, at best, you feel nothing at all. In fact, many of our patients report no sensation when we insert these tiny needles.
Acupuncture is a new-age fad
Acupuncture has been around for millennia, having first been used when the Chinese identified critical points throughout your body that control the flow of your energy (and healing resources!). The practice has continued for thousands of years and, today, it’s used in almost every medical circle to treat everything from anxiety to joint pain. In other words, acupuncture is no passing fad.
Acupuncture is in your head
If you think that the effects of acupuncture are all in your head, this is partly true. And by that we mean that acupuncture has been shown to boost the release of dopamine in your brain, which is your natural painkiller.
Acupuncture restores flow
The goal of acupuncture is to help your body’s energy flow more freely, which may sound vague, but your body’s energy includes your circulation, your lymphatic system, your immune system, and more. By encouraging these resources to do what they do best — take care of your body — acupuncture garners tangible results by alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and much more.
One or the other
One of the wonderful benefits of acupuncture is that is can be used as an adjunct treatment. Starting acupuncture doesn’t preclude other treatment avenues since there are no contraindications to the practice.
So you can still take medicine, engage in physical therapy, keep up with your regular chiropractic adjustments, and reap the benefits of acupuncture at the same time.
Acupuncture is a long-term treatment
Yes, acupuncture is a long-term treatment that delivers long-term results. Many of our clients continue with regular acupuncture appointments to ensure that the resources in their bodies are flowing freely. The frequency of these visits depends entirely upon your unique situation and the problem we’re trying to tackle. But we’re sure you’ll come to enjoy these relaxing sessions as you help your body function optimally.
If you’d like to get started with acupuncture or you have further questions, please call our Pearland, Texas, office at 281-223-1172 or use the online scheduler to set up an appointment.