Benefits of Acupuncture and the Diseases It Treats


Physical therapy with acupuncture, in addition to treating many diseases by stimulating the work of the nerves, and helps to get rid of pain in addition to mentioning many of the risks of using these needles for treatment, this article aims to show the most prominent benefits that you can get through a Chinese needle. Dalili Medical is keen to provide readers with the most important details on how to deal with these needles with many accompanying techniques.

What is acupuncture?

 

Acupuncture for the back is an ancient treatment discovered by the Chinese thousands of years ago, and it has recently been proven to be an effective way to treat many diseases and relieve pain. Acupuncture is a series of treatments that stimulate specific anatomical pressure points. Acupuncture is a series of treatments in which thin, solid metal needles are inserted into the skin to stimulate specific anatomical pressure points in the body using manual or electrical stimulation techniques to relieve pain.

What are the benefits of acupuncture?

 

Acupuncture is safe as long as it is performed correctly.

It has few side effects.

It can be easily and effectively combined with other treatments.

Helps control certain types of pain.

Useful for patients who are not suitable for painkillers

Is acupuncture painful?

 

Acupuncture needles may sting, pinch, or hurt a little when inserted through the skin. However, if the acupuncture needles are inserted incorrectly, you may feel severe pain during the treatment.

Are there any groups that are exempt from acupuncture treatment?

 

Acupuncture can be used for the following groups:

Infants and young children

The elderly and people with conditions that make them weak.

All people with immunodeficiency diseases.

People with certain bleeding disorders or severe anemia.

Patients with low blood sugar.

People who are weak

People who are prone to collapse due to fatigue or exhaustion.

People with very low blood pressure.

People who have high levels of anxiety or nervousness about injections.

Pregnant people Before confirming with a doctor that the injections will not affect the pregnancy.

Is electricity used in addition to acupuncture?

 

Yes, electricity is used in addition to acupuncture to treat joint and knee pain. Electricity stimulates the nerves and reduces pain. This is done by inserting special tools under the skin that generate a weak current that is connected to acupuncture needles. Electricity can also be used by passing an electric current through special needles.

It should be noted that the use of electricity in acupuncture requires close monitoring by a doctor and should not be recommended without medical advice. There is no need to worry when using electrotherapy because the current used is not very strong and has no side effects. The benefits of using electroacupuncture are many and patients can receive this treatment to relieve pain and improve their quality of life.

What is the procedure of acupuncture?

 

After identifying the acupuncture points in the body that need to be stimulated to relieve pain, the acupuncturist performs the following steps

Personal assessment: Evaluating the patient's medical condition and accurately determining the details of the pain and its location.

. Cleaning the site: The site where the needles are inserted is cleaned with an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.

Acupuncture needle insertion: Needles are gently inserted into the subcutaneous tissue. Multiple needles may be inserted to work on different acupuncture points in the body.

Acupuncture point stimulation: The needles are moved slightly and a gentle massage is applied to stimulate the nerves and produce pain-relieving endorphins.

Needle removal: All needles are gently removed and the area is re-cleaned.

Body monitoring: The acupuncturist monitors the patient to check the body’s response and the effectiveness of the treatment.

The treatment plan is designed according to the patient’s condition, the type and location of the pain, and the patient should consult a specialist to know the expected results and check the safety of the treatment.

Types of acupuncture?

 

Learn about the different types of acupuncture needles, their benefits and many applications

Regular acupuncture needles: These are the most common type of acupuncture needles and are long, thin and pointed.

Use: They are used to treat common conditions.

Triangular acupuncture needles: Because of their three sharp sides, they are more effective in stimulating the points.

Uses: Used to treat a variety of conditions, including epilepsy, severe asthma, and high fever.

Acupuncture needles: Small, pin-like devices that are inserted into the skin.

Uses: Used to treat addiction, obesity, and asthma. They can also be inserted into specific areas of the ear for slimming purposes.

What are the principles of acupuncture?

 

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points in the human body where needles can be inserted. These acupuncture points are linked to pathways through which energy, called qi, flows, which is responsible for the overall health of the body.

Acupuncture is useful because the process of acupuncture at these specific points can improve the flow of qi energy and improve health, as imbalances in the flow of this energy can lead to disease. However, there is still no scientific evidence for the existence of these acupuncture points and the pathways that connect them, making it very difficult to prove their existence or non-existence.

Instead, some experts use neuroscience to explain the principles of acupuncture. This is because the points where the needles are inserted are locations where nerves, muscles and connective tissue can be stimulated, increasing blood flow and stimulating the body's naturally occurring pain relievers.

Acupuncture Points?

 

Acupuncture Points

Back: Back: For Stomach ProblemsBack pain, anxiety and the effects of acupuncture on the back.

Abdominal: digestive disorders and menstrual disorders, as well as the slimming effects of acupuncture to slim the abdomen.

Extremities: joint pain, muscle spasms and headaches.

Face: headache, sinusitis and skin disorders.

Head: headache, insomnia, depression, etc.

What diseases does acupuncture treat?

 

Despite the importance of acupuncture in treating various diseases, many people are unaware of the value of acupuncture and its role in relieving chronic pain. So let's review the following diseases in which acupuncture plays an important role

1- Blood and vascular diseases and blood vessels Anemia, irregular heartbeat, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, low blood pressure and heart muscle fatigue can be treated with acupuncture.

2. Migraine Acupuncture can relieve chronic migraine pain when used with other treatments and painkillers.

3- Muscle pain Acupuncture can help relieve pain caused by muscle spasms and stiffness in the soft tissues of the body.

4. Respiratory disorders It helps in treating asthma, bronchitis, cough, pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumonia and emphysema.

5- Digestive disorders It helps in treating esophagitis, abdominal pain, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, stomach ulcers, etc.

6- Back pain Acupuncture can reduce back pain, increase activity and reduce pressure on the vertebrae due to muscle spasms or herniated discs. It can take many forms.

What are the benefits of acupuncture?

 

The benefits of acupuncture in treating various diseases have been scientifically proven, among the benefits of acupuncture, which scientific research has begun to study and prove its effectiveness:

The benefits of acupuncture for back pain

1. One of the benefits of acupuncture has been found to help relieve the severity of back pain and improve patients' motor skills. This effect appears immediately after acupuncture treatment, but it does not last for a long period of time. There is also limited evidence that acupuncture is moderately effective in treating acute back pain. Therefore, acupuncture can be used with other care methods to treat back pain, such as using heat or taking painkillers.

. One of the advantages of acupuncture is also that it can improve the short-term and long-term physical abilities of patients with chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, but the pain-relieving effect of acupuncture lasts for a short period, that is, up to 13 weeks.

Also, one of the advantages of knee acupuncture in China is that its use slows down the use of opioid painkillers to relieve pain after total knee joint repair and replacement.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Migraine

Using acupuncture to treat migraine symptoms can not only reduce the frequency of attacks in patients, but also reduce the severity of headaches in these patients, but this effect was found to be small compared to placebo.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Tension Headache For example, we found that using acupuncture with painkillers at the onset of tension headache attacks can reduce the frequency of headache attacks compared to using painkillers alone.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Disc Treatment Acupuncture can be used to treat intervertebral discs, as it helps relieve pain, and for this purpose the specialist can insert several needles near the spine of the affected vertebrae of the intervertebral disc, and then leave them for 20-40 minutes.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Nausea Sticking a Chinese needle in the wrist helps reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting caused by any cause, including surgery and anesthesia for pregnancy.

Benefits of Acupuncture against Cancer Stimulating acupuncture points and acupuncture contributes to alleviating many symptoms associated with chemotherapy used to treat cancer, such as pain, nausea and vomiting.

Also, one of the benefits of acupuncture is that it helps manage and relieve hot flashes associated with breast cancer.

Benefits of acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome Using acupuncture can relieve pain in the hands and arms for a longer period of time compared to using cortisone medications for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Benefits of acupuncture for weight loss

It helps in losing weight, and it was discovered that inserting a Chinese needle into the ear can help obese women lose more weight. It was also found that 6 weeks of treatment with a Chinese needle in the ear can help reduce waist circumference.

The benefits of acupuncture for weight loss can be attributed to the fact that these needles help stimulate the hormone endorphin, which plays a role in calming the body and promoting a sense of comfort, and because many people gain weight as a result of exposure to stress, the calming effect of acupuncture reduces overeating caused by stress, frustration and anxiety. It will help you get the most out of your life.

Benefits of acupuncture for pregnancy?

 

Since acupuncture is believed to help reduce stress and increase blood flow to the ovaries, the benefit of acupuncture for pregnancy with its help lies in increasing the effectiveness of many treatments used to increase and improve fertility.

Benefits of acupuncture for weight loss?

 

Acupuncture sessions really help to lose weight and reduce weight and also contribute to solving the problem of obesity in some in the following ways:

1. Helping to regulate metabolic processes Acupuncture contributes to regulating and strengthening metabolic processes in the body, which by regulating the digestion process and some hormonesNat, like insulin and other hormones, this contributes to accelerating the process of burning fat.

2. Effects on appetite hormones Acupuncture sessions help suppress appetite and also help regulate the digestive process by stimulating the hormone ghrelin, which controls appetite, and the hormone leptin, which is responsible for the process of storing fat, which contributes to slimming and weight loss.

3. Effects on mood and stress Acupuncture contributes to slimming by affecting the level of cortisol, a hormone that rises in the event of stress and anxiety, and the increase in the body leads to weight gain, so acupuncture helps reduce the level of this hormone. This contributes to reducing obesity.

When acupuncture is contraindicated: Hemorrhagic disease: People with a bleeding disease such as hemophilia, or who take blood thinners (such as warfarin) may suffer from uncontrolled bleeding or severe bruising.

Skin infections or open wounds: Avoid inserting needles into infected skin areas or open wounds to avoid worsening the condition and spreading the infection.

Pregnancy: Some acupuncture points can stimulate uterine contractions, which can lead to complications such as miscarriage and premature birth. Therefore, pregnant women should consult a qualified practitioner with experience in working with pregnant women before starting treatment.

Weakened immunity: People with weakened immunity (such as those with immunodeficiency diseases or those undergoing chemotherapy) may be at higher risk.

Heart disease: Caution should be exercised in treating people with serious heart conditions. Some acupuncture points may affect heart rate and blood pressure.

Acute psychological conditions: People with severe mental illness or psychological disorders need special care and the practitioner should ensure that treatment does not worsen their symptoms.

Unstable chronic conditions: If you have an unstable medical condition such as uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure, you should consult a doctor.

Epilepsy: Practitioners with epilepsy should be aware that acupuncture may induce seizures.

Are there any guidelines for people undergoing acupuncture?

 

All individuals who intend to undergo acupuncture should follow the guidelines below to ensure that they avoid the many risks that can be caused by acupuncture:

Visit a certified practitioner: Many countries require practitioners to have a certificate of competence to perform acupuncture, and patients should visit a certified practitioner to ensure that they meet the appropriate health standards.

Inquire about the practitioner’s experience: Many health professionals practice acupuncture, and it is important to inquire about the practitioner’s experience and verify their competence before undergoing the above treatments.

Check the cost of the treatment: Before undergoing acupuncture treatment, it is essential to inquire about the number of acupuncture sessions and the cost of each session in order to ensure that the insurance covers the treatment and its final financial value.

Determine the herbs used: Many acupuncturists use a variety of herbs during the treatment. You should ensure that the practitioner does not use toxic herbs during the treatment session. Go to a clean clinic: You should go to an acupuncture clinic that always sterilizes its instruments and uses sterile needles only once to prevent infection from entering your body.

What are the techniques associated with acupuncture?

 

The following list includes some of the therapeutic techniques associated with acupuncture

Moxibustion: To warm and stimulate acupuncture points, acupuncturists place hot sticks made of dried herbs near the points to be cauterized.

Cupping: According to traditional Chinese medicine, cupping aims to relieve blood stasis using a glass or silicone cup with a suction effect.

What are the harms of acupuncture for weight loss?

 

Despite the benefits of acupuncture for weight loss, it can sometimes cause some risks, such as

Allergic reactions: As mentioned above, there are herbs used with acupuncture that can cause allergic reactions in patients.

Infection: In the case of using unsterilized acupuncture needles, they can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person. Hepatitis is one of the most prominent diseases transmitted through these needles, in addition to AIDS.

Skin damage: Acupuncture needles can cause bleeding, bruising and pain when they penetrate blood vessels in the skin.

Collapsed lung: When acupuncture needles are inserted into the chest or upper back, the risk of lung collapse increases if the needles are inserted too deeply, but this rarely happens.

Effect on pacemakers: Many people have pacemakers and the electrical pulses associated with acupuncture can negatively affect them.

Labor induction in pregnant women: Experts believe that some types of acupuncture can induce labor in pregnant women and increase the likelihood of preterm labor.

Injury to internal organs: Acupuncture needles may break off inside the patient’s body, damaging some internal organs, but this is rare.

Side effects of acupuncture?

 

Mild side effects.

Pain and numbness: The patient may feel mild pain or tingling when the needles are inserted or after treatment.

Bruising: Small bruises may occur at the site of the acupuncture.

Bleeding: Minor bleeding may occur at the acupuncture site, especially if the needles are inserted incorrectly.

Fatigue or dizziness: You may feel tired or dizzy after treatment.

Itching or irritation: Irritation or itching may occur at the acupuncture site.

Mild inflammation: In rare cases, mild inflammation may occur atNeedle insertion site.

More serious side effects (rare)

Damage to internal organs: If the needle is inserted too deeply or in the wrong place, it can damage internal organs such as the lungs (risk of pneumothorax).

Infection: If needles are not sterilized properly, an infection can occur at the puncture site.

Nerve damage: Needles that are inserted incorrectly can damage nerves.

Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions may occur if you are sensitive to some of the materials used in acupuncture needles.

Tips to reduce side effects of acupuncture?

 

Choose a qualified practitioner: Make sure the practitioner is qualified and experienced in acupuncture.

Sterilization: Use new, sterile needles each time to maintain cleanliness and prevent infection.

Communicate with your practitioner: Tell your practitioner about any illness or health condition before your session.

Relax after your session: Relax after your session and avoid strenuous exercise.

Follow-up If you experience unusual symptoms or unusual pain after your session, contact your practitioner or doctor immediately.