Chinese medicine has been used for several thousand years and incorporates several modalities including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. It is practiced successfully for both acute and chronic pain management and can be a viable alternative to opioids and other prescription pain medication.
Pain is defined as uncomfortable and unpleasant physical feelings within the body that are caused by injuries and illness. Pain can be experienced in virtually all parts of the body and may be coupled with an emotional experience.
While the list of potential sources is almost endless, we feel pain because our brains interpret signals from the region as pain. It is very common for emotions such as anxiety or stress to increase the perception of pain. One concept, known as cellular memory, occurs when the body takes on pain from emotional trauma and lodges it in the body as a safety mechanism for the brain. Additionally, people perceive pain in a wide variety of ways which can further confound the type of treatment required to alleviate the symptoms.
Acupuncture is a treatment designed to activate the body’s natural self-healing mechanisms by increasing circulation locally. It also balances the neurotransmitters responsible for signaling pain and increases the release of endorphins(the body’s natural pain relief) in the body. Acupuncture has also been proven to modulate pain from the central nervous system, helping manage pain symptoms at the base level.
Acupuncture is also well known to reduce inflammation, further supporting the healing process. All of these things change how your body perceives pain, thus reducing the sensation of pain. Chinese herbal medicine can enhance the treatment by sustaining these effects as well once the acupuncture treatment is complete.
In addition to inhibiting pain and disrupting the brain’s registration of pain, acupuncture can help relax the muscles to restore range of motion in the area which improves the overall function.
A licensed acupuncturist will start the process by conducting a thorough intake which also covers personal health history. This process helps to identify problem areas and root causes. The acupuncturist will devise a suitable treatment plan focused on relieving the pain and encouraging the body to repair itself.
The course of acupuncture sessions will be designed to provide instant pain relief if possible followed by ongoing treatments to resolve the root cause of the issue. A full treatment cycle will help prevent the resurfacing of pain and may be used alongside other treatments depending on the initial cause of the pain.
When someone has chronic pain, it has typically become a central nervous system issue, and often they feel pain long past when they should. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are another way to open up the channels of communication in the body and change the way that pain is experienced.
Acupuncture repairs the natural pathways to help the body heal itself, which reduces the pain symptoms and brings a range of immediate and ongoing benefits. Without treating those natural pathways, pain is likely to persist.
To gain further insight about acupuncture for pain relief, call to schedule a consultation today.
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