The Benefits Of Acupuncture
If you ask around, you might be surprised with the number of your friends who swear by acupuncture, for all matter of ailments.
Acupuncture has gained in popularity in the West in recent decades, despite being a traditional Chinese treatment for centuries.
Dawdy Naturopathic provides acupuncture treatments in Ottawa.
If you’re looking for more information before making your appointment, read this article for an overview.
What Is Acupuncture?
You’ve probably heard of “chi” or “qi”, which, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is the life force that runs through our bodies, along its meridian channels.
There are also yin and yang, which are the two aspects of chi, and which traditional Chinese medicine says must be kept in balance in order to be healthy.
Acupuncturists access these energy flows and meridians via mapped acupressure points, of which there are over 350 throughout your body.
To access these points, small, flexible needles are inserted in specific combinations, and are able to alter the energy flows – unblocking or rebalancing them.
Is There Scientific Evidence For Acupuncture?
As with other aspects of traditional Chinese traditional medicine, scientists struggle to quantify it – there is no direct evidence to prove the existence of qi or meridian channels.
Nevertheless, there are numerous studies that do show that acupuncture provides tangible relief to patients for certain conditions.
As a result, even the World Health Organization recognizes it.
Let’s have a look at the most common and effective uses for acupuncture.
1. It Can Help Manage Chronic Pain
There has been a growing opioid crisis among Western nations, as people seek relief from their pain in pharmaceuticals.
In an effort to find alternate options, many governments have started looking for alternative options for chronic pain sufferers, including acupuncture, which studies show to be effective.
Although we don’t understand the precise cause of relief, acupuncture needles stimulate nerve endings, signalling the brain to release beta-endorphins, which are the body’s natural opioids.
Acupuncture has also been shown to lower inflammation, which is a common cause for chronic pain.
2. It Can Help Manage Anxiety
In any given year, roughly three percent of the population experiences GAD – generalized anxiety disorder.
It’s the most common individual mental illness, and most of the studies done measuring acupuncture’s effect on anxiety surround this condition.
Some studies suffer from being too small or poorly designed, but there are several that show some very promising results.
In particular, we’ve found it can be a useful alternative treatment for people who didn’t have positive responses from other treatments such as medication or psychotherapy.
It may also have has a tangible impact on the body’s fight, flight, or freeze response.
3. It Can Help Reduce Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies can be temporary for some, or can last from spring through to fall, as the various pollens, spores and irritants bloom and are carried on the wind.
There are many medications and pharmaceuticals that can treat allergies, but these come with a whole host of side effects that many wish to avoid.
That’s why there have been studies that examine the effects of acupuncture on allergy symptoms, to gauge how much relief it provides.
The more well-known acupuncture has become, the more patients have come to me to find relief from their seasonal allergies more naturally.
4. It Can Help Manage Menstrual Pain
Period pain affects up to 95% of those who menstruate.
Also known as dysmenorrhea, menstrual pain comes in two different types.
Primary menstrual pain is caused by no known medical condition, but it causes painful cramps.
The secondary type is caused by a diagnosed disorder such as fibroids or endometriosis.
In a study, it was found that after three months of treatment, acupuncture reduced both the pain intensity and duration.
Period pain is one of the most common reasons women and others who menstruate seek acupuncture.
5. It Can Help Manage Insomnia
You may be unaware, but insomnia basically runs rampant through the adult population, with up to forty percent suffering from it.
Of that number, up to about fifteen percent are chronic sufferers, and the remainder experience occasional bouts of insomnia or transient insomnia.
Now, imagine being able to get a good night of sleep using acupuncture.
If you have difficulty falling asleep, or experience poor sleep, you may want to consider acupuncture to help you get a sound night’s sleep.
6. Other Uses For Acupuncture
Now, keep in mind that acupuncture has been used for so much more that what we’ve included above.
In fact, the WHO (World Health Organization) has recognized acupuncture for being helpful with the following:
- Morning sickness and other symptoms of pregnancy
- Some gastric conditions
- Both low or high blood pressure
- Reducing the risk of stroke
- Inducing labour
- Sciatica
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Dysentery
- Pain and nausea from chemotherapy
7. Research Into Other Uses
There continues to be ongoing research into the benefits of acupuncture.
Though more research is needed to come to anything conclusive, acupuncture shows promise as a treatment for:
- Substance addiction or dependence (tobacco, alcohol, etc)
- Neuralgia
- Whooping cough
- Vascular dementia
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Post-operative convalescence
Book An Appointment With Dawdy Naturopathic
If you’re suffering from one or more of the conditions above – and are sick of it – reach out and book an appointment at Dawdy Naturopathic.
If you have any concerns, fears, or questions, we can discuss those in the consultation and make sure you are one hundred percent comfortable before proceeding.
I’m Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, a naturopathic doctor in Ottawa, and I spend our days helping patients with exactly these conditions.
Contact me today to book an appointment.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND
Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic
6899 Sunset Blvd,
Greely, ON K4P 1C5
-https://g.page/dawdynaturopathicclinic
Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic offers a variety of naturopathic health solutions for individuals and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area.
