Acupuncture is something many of us have heard about before. But what can it actually treat? In this article, I will discuss some of the conditions it can address. I will also mention some things you should consider before initiating care.
Brief acupuncture background
Acupuncture is the longest-existing, mostly continuously practiced form of medicine in all of history. It has been practiced for approximately 3,000 years. Knowledge was passed from generation to generation and eventually codified into a text called The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. The text dates back to 100 BCE. Over time, the practice of acupuncture was refined, and the insertion points became more specific, with measurements of point locations referenced in relation to anatomy. Although more and more people in the West are becoming interested in acupuncture, in China it is regarded as a standard practice of medicine that is administered in hospitals alongside Western medicine. To give you an idea of how efficacious acupuncture can be for pain management, it is not uncommon for an acupuncturist in China to administer acupuncture treatment pre- and post-surgery in combination with an analgesic—or even in lieu of it.
Seen in clinic
In my individual practice, I treat many individuals for common conditions most of us have heard of or deal with ourselves. Conditions range from sleep disruptions, headaches, allergies, neck pain/back pain/shoulder pain, gastrointestinal issues (acid reflux, bloating and gas, constipation, loose stools), stress, anxiety, fertility challenges, skin conditions, autoimmune conditions, and many others.
After mounting evidence from clinical trials, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has formally acknowledged acupuncture for its value in relieving pain, nausea after surgery or chemotherapy, and morning sickness, and for its effectiveness in treating conditions such as headaches, asthma, stroke rehabilitation, and fibromyalgia.
In the clinic, the two most common reasons people initiate care are for pain relief and fertility support. Those seeking pain relief have often already tried stretching, seen a chiropractor, and adjusted their working positions, yet they are still in pain. Those experiencing fertility challenges have tried to conceive naturally and/or even initiated Assisted Reproductive Technology. These patients have read that acupuncture can be helpful for aiding blood flow to the uterus, as well as improving egg quality and hormone production. After people see improvements in these areas, they are likely to be more open to treating other conditions. For many of my patients, I have become the first line of treatment when they catch a cold, experience a period of disrupted sleep, or are dealing with conditions like sciatica or plantar fasciitis. Patients will make an appointment with me to receive acupuncture before pursuing more extreme measures, like taking a sleeping pill or getting a steroid injection.
If you are considering acupuncture, there are some things you should keep in mind. Although acupuncture can provide a relaxing experience, very rarely is one treatment enough to significantly impact your condition. Depending on what you are dealing with, there will usually be a recommendation of something like 10–12 treatments before seeing significant improvements. You should generally notice things moving in a positive direction before those 10–12 treatments are completed. Another thing to keep in mind is that your acupuncturist may make dietary or behavioral suggestions for you to implement outside of your appointment. Whether you decide to follow their guidance or not will impact the speed at which you see improvements.
If you are curious whether Chinese medicine can benefit something you are experiencing, it’s worth seeing a licensed acupuncturist and giving it a try!
