More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
What Are Some Ways to Promote Wellness?
As more of us begin to look outside of traditional Western medicine for our health and wellness, it is important that we are aware of what our options are and how these therapies can help.
One therapy that has recently gained popularity is that of acupuncture. Acupuncture is part of Chinese medicine, a holistic medicine modality that uses various therapies (like acupuncture) to help bring about overall wellness.
When an acupuncture needle is inserted into a specific point on the body, the needle causes nerves to send signals to our brain and central nervous system. A cascade of various hormones, neurotransmitters and chemicals are then put into production and released into the body. Depending on the point needled, different products will be created and circulated throughout the body.
This leads to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. This system is also known as the “rest and digest” system of our body. The system that is needed for us to heal and maintain good health.
One of the main benefits of acupuncture then is that it helps promote relaxation. It relaxes our nervous system by turning that relaxed nervous system “on.” Another benefit of receiving acupuncture treatment is that it helps improve sleep. Acupuncture can help promote quality sleep through its communication with our central nervous system. Acupuncture can also improve our energy levels.
From this, we can then follow how acupuncture can help with overall mood. If we are more relaxed, sleeping better, and feeling less fatigued our mood is likely to be better. Several patients report that following treatment, they find themselves in an overall better mood for the next few days to couple of weeks.
One of the most common reasons that patients come for acupuncture is for pain relief.
Acupuncture can help the body manage pain directly through the production and release of pain moderating chemicals, as well as indirectly by: increasing blood flow to surrounding tissue to bring in nutrients, oxygen, and chemicals, stimulating your body’s release of natural anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce pain and promote healing and the stimulation of your body’s immune system.
Reduced stress, better sleep, improved energy levels, better mood and reduced pain are all benefits of acupuncture that almost everyone experiences when they receive treatment. Even better, the more treatments you receive the more likely it is to see a noticeable improvement in these areas as well as in overall well-being.
