Acupuncture is a treatment modality whose roots are steeped in traditional Chinese medicine dating back more than 2,500 years. The great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Franklin Baché, is believed to be the first American medical doctor to use and document acupuncture in the United States in the 1800s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s when acupuncture gained traction in the U.S.
If you’re among the estimated 39 million Americans who suffer from migraines or the 31 million Americans who experience lower back pain, you know all too well that getting lasting relief is challenging. More than 14 million Americans have turned to acupuncture to help with migraines, chronic and acute pain, or nerve pain problems as well mental health concerns such as anxiety, stress, and depression.
But how do you know if acupuncture is right for you? In this blog, the highly skilled team at Cardio Metabolic Institute shares insights on acupuncture and how it’s become a mainstay in their integrative medicine toolbox to help patients live more full, productive lives.
Let’s unpack this topic by first defining what integrative medicine is and how acupuncture plays a role. Integrative medicine is a holistic approach — incorporating practices of traditional and alternative or complementary medicine — that focuses on treating the whole person, not just symptoms.
The principle behind acupuncture is that a healthy mind, body, and spirit rely on the flow of unobstructed energy, or qi, which circulates throughout the body along pathways known as meridians. These pathways are connected to body organs and systemic functions.
The premise at the heart of acupuncture is that pain, disease, or illness happen when the body’s qi is disrupted. The primary functions of acupuncture are to restore the flow of qi and to stimulate healing.
When accessing acupuncture services, it’s important to seek treatment from a highly experienced and medically trained acupuncturist. Here at Cardio Metabolic Institute, a medical acupuncturist provides our acupuncture services.
Although the situation varies from patient to patient, most people who get acupuncture usually don’t experience any side effects. During treatment, it’s typical to feel a mild ache or pressure when your provider inserts the needles. At times — especially in the beginning —some patients may have minor soreness at the needle insertion sites.
As with any treatment option, not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture. During your initial consultation, you and your provider discuss your treatment goals, your medical history, and any medications you take to evaluate whether acupuncture is right for you.
Being pregnant or having a pacemaker or bleeding disorder may put you at risk for complications.
For many people, acupuncture means relief from pain and other maladies without dependence on drugs or the need for invasive treatments — even surgery. Instead, during the typical 45- to 60-minute acupuncture session, your body’s energy flow is reset so it can heal itself and release endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever.
If you’re suffering from pain or other chronic conditions and want to know how acupuncture can help and whether you’re a candidate, contact Cardio Metabolic Institute in Somerset, Monroe Township, or East Brunswick, New Jersey, for a consultation. Click the “Book online” button, or call us today.
