You may have heard of acupuncture, but how much do you know about it? Asian countries including China have been using it for many thousands of years. Acupuncture stimulates certain points of the body using thin needles that go into the skin. It helps change the functions of the body.
Research shows that it can reduce post-surgery and post-chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. Although the researchers aren’t exactly sure how it works, it may activate the body’s painkiller chemicals. It also may improve your body’s regulation of blood flow and blood pressure. It can be used to manage stress as well. This may be a good idea for you if you do not like taking drugs for the conditions listed below.
Below is a list of the things that acupuncture can help with:
- Nausea and vomiting after surgeries and chemotherapy
- Tooth and dental pain
- Migraines, tension headaches, and other head pain
- Pain from going through childbirth
- Lower back pain
- Pain in your neck
- Cramps during your menstrual cycle
- Some respiratory disorders and allergy issues
Below is a list of possible risks with using acupuncture:
- Soreness
- Pain during insertion of needles
- Mild bleeding
- Bruising
- Stimulation of early labor in pregnant women
- Interference with pacemakers
You should avoid acupuncture if you are taking blood thinners and have a bleeding disorder. You should also avoid if you have a pacemaker or are pregnant. If you are not a fan of needles and it may cause you to pass out, you may want to avoid it as well. However, acupuncture has very few side effects associated with it.
If you think that you can handle the above risks and the possible pain, you should try acupuncture. It may not sound like much fun, but there is a good reason why it has been around for so long. The benefits may surprise you, so look into it.