Acupuncture

I experienced a first in my life today. It was my first visit with an acupuncturist.
While driving to the office, all I could think about was the anticipated pain of having needles inserted into my body. OUCH!
I was more than a tad bit apprehensive about the needles.

Before the needles were inserted the acupuncturist took a thorough history, checked my pulses, and looked my tongue. Then the needles . . . .
Well, I'm happy to report that the apprehension was for nothing. I hardly felt a thing when the acupuncture needles were inserted. The acupuncturist left them in my body for about 20 minutes while I rested on a table that resembled a massage table.

After the treatment was over I felt extremely relaxed and the pain I sought treatment for was much less intense. In fact, by the time I arrived at my home, the pain was gone.

So how does this acupuncture work? Western medicine doesn't really have scientific evidence that acupuncture works. But there are theories. One theory suggests that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce endorphins, which reduce pain. Other studies have found that other pain-relieving substances called opioids may be released into the body during acupuncture treatment. Another theory is that pain impulses are blocked from reaching the brain. But the needles are not directed towards nerves, so could they aid in blocking pain impulses?

Acupuncture helped to relieve my discomfort. For that I am thankful. I may not understand how acupuncture works, but I'm glad that I made the decision to try an alternative treatment to Western medicine.

Find An Acupuncturist