by urban-acupuncture | Apr 10, 2021 | Acupuncture
Millions of people around the world suffer from arthritis. This is a common health issue that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. Both osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect a person’s quality of life. Both types of arthritis present symptoms that range from mild to debilitating pain.
Acupuncture: An ancient medicine for arthritis relief
Acupuncture has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This is an ancient treatment procedure involving the insertion of fine stainless steel needles into precise locations in the body.
Prior to treatment, the patient is thoroughly assessed by a trained practitioner. Next, the acupuncturist starts the treatment by inserting needles at specific points on the patient’s body. The location will depend on the specific health concern. For example, for arthritis-related knee pain, the needles are inserted around the knees.
TCM practitioners use acupuncture to treat numerous complaints such as:
- lower back pain
- headache
- neck pain
- dental pain
- post-surgical pain
- knee pain
How acupuncture treats arthritic pain
In TCM theory, “qi” is a vital life energy. It flows across various body channels or meridians. When a blockage occurs in the passage of qi, it may result in pain and illness. During the acupuncture session, the practitioner can stimulate nearly 2,000 points to restore qi flow and alleviate symptoms.
Several studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment option for relieving arthritis-related knee pain. How? Acupuncture produces an anti-inflammatory response in the body. It suppresses the inflammatory response, improving blood circulation and relaxing muscle tone.
In TCM, the acupuncturist creates an individualized treatment plan for every patient. Although how acupuncture relieves arthritic pain is still unclear, many individuals report feeling better after the treatment.
Benefits of acupuncture
Patients who undergo acupuncture treatment for arthritis often report a significant improvement.
The Arthritis Foundation lists the following benefits of acupuncture:
- improved sleep due to melatonin release
- stress relief after stimulation of oxytocin and endorphins
- pain relief after nerve fibers are stimulated to block pain signals.
A study published in 2019 in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine found that people with RA felt significantly better after acupuncture treatment. In the study, the researchers created three groups:
- Group 1- received acupuncture with the TCM method
- Group 2- received acupuncture at random locations on the body
- Group 3- no treatment
Participants in Group1 reported less pain, better arm and hand strength, and better health and quality of life compared to the other groups.
Both RA and OA present a unique set of symptoms for each person. Therefore, it’s best to seek an individualized treatment plan that combines different therapy options. Many people seek acupuncture as a trusted method for experiencing knee pain relief from arthritis. Although scientists are still unable to explain how acupuncture works in the body, people living with mild to severe arthritis pain can still benefit from this treatment option.
Contact Us
For more information about how acupuncture and treatment options can help you feel better, please get in touch with the board-certified team at Urban Acupuncture Center in Clintonville, Ohio. This clinic also serves customers from Columbus and Westerville.
Contact Urban Acupuncture Center in Columbus, OH For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
by urban-acupuncture | Apr 1, 2021 | Acupuncture
Can Acupuncture Help You Sleep?
Who hasn’t had that awful experience of crawling out of bed and facing a busy day after tossing and turning all night long?
Almost everyone, at some point, will have to deal with interrupted sleep. For some people, it might be just one night or a couple of isolated occurrences. For others, disordered sleep patterns—insomnia—is a daily problem that can have a devastating impact on their well-being.
Most doctors recommend that adults get at least eight hours of sleep every night. Unfortunately, studies show that most adults in the United States today get by on far less.
But as we all know (even if we don’t always like to admit it), our doctors are usually right. A good night’s sleep is the foundation of a healthy, active lifestyle. An important first step is making sure that you set enough time aside in your busy schedule to get the full amount of sleep you need. Daily exercise and screen-free time right before bedtime can also help promote healthy sleep habits.
Yet people who struggle to fall asleep, wake frequently, or suffer from other sleep problems may need to take additional steps to get the healthy sleep they need.
Regular Acupuncture treatments can offer hope to individuals suffering from insomnia or other sleep problems. Read more about how acupuncture can help you get a better night’s sleep.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Sleep-Related Problems
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine designed to bring your Qi, or vital life energy, into balance, or homeostasis. Homeostasis is a state of balance where the body can self-relate its internal functions to maintain good health and well-being.
Unfortunately, many aspects of living in today’s busy world can create an imbalance or cause your Qi to become blocked. When this happens, the body can no longer self-regulate and self-heal.
Stimulating points along the meridians—channels through which your Qi flows—can address sleep issues by bringing your body into balance. Acupuncture has been shown to help promote better sleep through stress-reduction and relaxation. But it can also address underlying concerns undermining good sleep patterns.
Why You Should Try Acupuncture for Your Sleep-Related Issues
Just one night of interrupted sleep might not be so bad. If sleep normally isn’t a problem, you can probably make it up with a short nap followed by a good night’s sleep.
But letting sleep issues go unresolved over the long term can be extremely detrimental to your health, your well-being, and even your safety. Multiple studies have indicated that lack of sleep can lead to:
- A higher risk of accidents due to slowed reaction time
- Lower levels of performance at work or school
- Increased risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and addiction
- Increased risk of long-term health concerns such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes
- Visible signs of rapid aging
Acupuncture v. Sleep Aids
The long-term health risks associated with insomnia and sleep problems probably don’t come as a surprise to many people. Yet in the daily fight to get a good night’s sleep, many people quickly turn to over-the-counter sleep aids.
Unfortunately, sleep aids are not an ideal solution, especially when coping with long-term sleep problems.
Most sleep aids, whether OTC or prescription, can be addictive, both physically and psychologically. Some come with serious potential side effects that can create their own health risks. And they never address the underlying issues that may be causing the insomnia in the first place.
Acupuncture, on the other hand, has shown to be a low-risk method of addressing sleep concerns. It is both safe and effective for many individuals.
Acupuncture Promotes Better Sleep by Addressing Underlying Conditions
And not only is acupuncture generally safer than sleep aids in both the short- and long-term. It can also help address some underlying medical conditions that may be at the root of your sleep issues.
Acupuncture can, for example, help relieve pain and discomfort. In some cases, acupuncture may be able to help address specific issues such as sleep apnea. And perhaps most importantly, it can also help reduce stress and anxiety, which are one of the most common reasons for disordered sleep.
So if you are having trouble sleeping, why not give acupuncture a try? Especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle and good sleep hygiene, acupuncture can help you say goodbye to those sleepless nights and tired days.
Contact Urban Acupuncture Center in Columbus, OH For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
