Acupuncture is most commonly used to treat different areas of pain and inflammation. As well as being used more and more for overall wellness, including stress management. A few common areas that it is used to treat:
• Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting
• Dental Pain
• Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines
• Labor Pain
• Low Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Menstrual cramps
• Respiratory Disorders.
Benefits of Acupuncture
With the treatment of acupuncture comes a wide spectrum of benefits that it provides. It is commonly used for pain relief as well as inflammation and overall improvement of circulation.
• Pain Relief – Interferes with concentration, inhibits physical activity, disrupts sleep and emotional disturbances. You can take over-the-counter or prescription painkillers which have unpleasant side effects that can be problematic and hurt the body. Acupuncture urges the body’s own natural defense to rally against the pain.
• Reduce Inflammation – The immune systems natural response to illness or injury is to inflame. Acupuncture has an anti- inflammatory effect, so it helps reduce pain and calm inflammation.
• Improved circulation – Blood carries much needed nutrients to the tissues and cells. Bad circulation compromises and the cells suffer while healing and the regeneration is slower. Acupuncture encourages circulation, healing and health at a cellular level.
With anxiety and depression being one of the leading causes of mental health in America today. Researchers have found acupuncture is helping with overall calming, improving of the mood and allowing one to sleep better.
• Calming – Protect the body from the detrimental effects, by reducing stress levels and encouraging tranquility
• Improved Mood – Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders often respond well. Due to increased levels of crucial neurotransmitters like serotonin and restore hormonal balance to the body. Letting you engage in activities and enjoy life.
• Better Sleep – Fights insomnia on many fronts. It reduces factors like pain and stress that can impede sleep and stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that promote better sleep.
What You Can Expect:
We will dive into what you can expect from the beginning, during and at the end of your treatment. As well, the benefits of routine treatments to give you relief from day to day. After being taken back to the treatment room, a gown, towel or sheet will be provided to you if necessary, depending on area being treated. Do not hesitate to ask any questions to the staff before.
Once ready, Dr. Henry will come in and begin explaining the treatment as well follow-up from the first consolation when you discussed acupuncture.
During the procedure:
Depending on the area we may ask you to lie down for the treatment. The procedure will begin, and three simple steps are performed. Dr. Henry will begin with the insertion of very thin needles through your skin. Acupuncture needles are inserted to various depth. With the needles being very thin, you can expect to have little discomfort. It is normal at times to feel a mild aching sensation when a needle reaches the correct depth. They are placed strategically in the areas of pain and inflammation in the pocketed points called acupoints.
If necessary, the needles may be manipulated by a gentle move or twirl after placement. As well applying heat of mild electrical pulses to the needles. The needles remain in place for 10 to 20 minutes while you lie still and relax. After the treatment and the needles are removed, there is normally no discomfort when the needles are removed.
After the procedure:
As everyone responds differently, some people feel relaxed and other feel energized after an acupuncture treatment. You should not experience any pain or discomfort after treatment.
Is Acupuncture for Me?
As your first treatment can be nerve racking, Dr. Henry will sit down an go into as little or as much detail as you would like. We have some patients who want to know exactly what is going on, and then we have others who just want to be healed and don’t really care how 🙂
If you think that acupuncture might be something that interests you, be sure to ask Dr. Henry at your next appointment. If you haven’t ever visited Henry Chiropractic Center, feel free to give us a call, or message us on Facebook to ask more questions and set up a consultation!