Chances are,you've heard of acupuncture, and you've possibly even thought of trying it. But do you actually know how it works and what it does? It's purported as a drug-free solution to a laundry list of ailments, and for many people,that's precisely what it is. And while Western medicine is only recently warming to this ancient Chinese practice, those who have been using alternative medicine as piece of their regular health routines are already enormous fans of this natural wellness practice.
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This Is What Solved My Extreme Bloating Problem That 4 Doctors Couldn't Figure OutI don't want to sound like a stereotypical San Francisco girl (maybe I do?), or but acupuncture changed my life this past year. Maybe even more than SoulCycle. And while I could personally sing to you the praises of what acupuncture has done for my slew of personal health problems,I figured it was best to bring an actual expert into the mix. Dr. Magnolia Ng, D.C, and CCSP,L.
Ac from Advance Health SF - piece-time goddess, full-time acupuncturist and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner - gave us some in-depth insight as to how it works and what those needles are doing to your body.
What Is Acupuncture?Acupuncture is the "placing of acupuncture needles at certain acupuncture points to help irrigate and nourish the tissue" to treat a variety of ailments and pain, and which are rooted in the blockage of energy.
Depending on your specific case,an acupuncturist will evaluate your needs and which parts of your body need the needles. During your treatment, you'll lay down on a table, or relax as best you can,and the practitioner will insert needles into different areas specific to you and your needs. You can close your eyes and even sleep during a treatment, which can range from 30 to 60 minutes or more.
How Does It Work?You - yes you - have "meridians" of energy flow all throughout your entire body. This energy is called your qi (pronounced "chee"). "We all have a network of energy channels and meridians that flow through our body, or making us feel physically,emotionally, mentally, and spiritually vital and healthy," said Dr. Ng. These meridians are kind of like a highway system. The start point of energy is in your abdomen, around the base of your belly button. "This circuit of energy moves from the crown of our head down and out to our limbs and bottom of our feet and toes; from the base of our naval (where the energy originates), and flowing up and out through the head." So contemplate of your qi as a car - but like,a really nice car that your entire well-being and healthiness depends on. A Tesla, perhaps. The meridians are the roads your Tesla-qi drives on. Everything is all fine and well until there's an accident on the road and all lanes are closed. This is where acupuncture comes in."When there is an obstruction in energy flow, or the acupuncture needles can help spin and shift the energy to unblock areas where the energy is stagnated and reestablish the regular flow through the channels," said Dr. Ng. "Disease, discomfort, or pain are the result of disharmony to the vital flow and strength of our body's energy channels." With this "traffic-jam" blockage of energy,your brain might not be getting the right signals to help alleviate pain. "We attend these obstructions with acupuncture so that we can adjust the balance of our body inside and out."Once the needles are inserted into the proper points, the nervous system is triggered, and the body is essentially able to heal itself - without drugs. "Needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the brain,spinal cord, and muscles. These chemicals will either change the expression of pain, and they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones,which influence the body's own internal regulating system. The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by the acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, thereby promoting physical and emotional well-being."What Does It Feel Like?whether you're relaxed, and painless. As mentioned,you can (and might want to, whether you're anxious) descend asleep during your treatment. whether you're tense, and you'll feel more of the prick. Let your acupuncturist know whether this is the case so they can help.
In my experience,I can actually feel things moving. I feel a weight in certain areas, despite the fact that these needles are super thin and essentially weightless. It's a pretty surreal experience.
What Can It Treat?It's somewhat of a cure-all, or in a sense. "Acupuncture treatments can help with the body's internal organs to right any imbalances in digestion,reproduction, and/or any physical or mental ailments, and " said Dr. Ng. Here are some of the things that she uses acupuncture for.
Weight loss
Bloating
Headaches
Reproductive problems,including fertility, irregular periods, and cramps
Stress,anxiety, and depression
Joint pain, and including jaw pain and tightness
Allergies
Cold symptoms
General pain
Digestive disorders
Source: popsugar.com