Whether you’re trying to get into better shape or you’re a health and fitness enthusiast, you need a reliable wellness routine. There are many good habits you can adopt and many dietary and personal changes you can make to get in shape and stay that way. But, you should also consider acupuncture for your routine. Among its many benefits, acupuncture can relieve back pain, neck pain, and help reduce headaches.
For proper acupuncture treatment, you need an experienced and qualified provider to get the best results. Christopher Clark, MD, at Premier Spine and Sports Medicine, is an expert in acupuncture, and he can help relieve pain throughout your body.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a practice in which thin needles are placed in strategic areas ― called acupoints ― of the body to treat a variety of problems. Needles are inserted in the body at different lengths ― some deeper than others ― and are left in for a period of time.
Acupuncture has been used as a form of medicine by the Chinese for thousands of years. The purpose of acupuncture is to free the flow of energy ― called chi ― throughout the body. Research shows that acupuncture can stimulate your nerves and muscles, and naturally relieve pain. Research into all the ways it can be used is still ongoing.
What can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture has been shown to relieve a number of types of pain, including the following:
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Osteoarthritis pain
- Tension and migraine headaches
- Various chronic pains
It has also been used to help with labor pains, menstrual cramps, and dental pains. It has even been used to relieve patients of nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.
Acupuncture is designed to allow the body to help itself, and it doesn’t interfere with any other medications or treatments. So it could be a great compliment to your current health regimen.
What’s an acupuncture session like?
Procedures are done on an outpatient basis, and no preparation or post-procedure care is needed. After discussing your condition, your provider will choose what areas to target. You will then lie down facing up, down, or sideways depending on where treatment is being done.
With some treatments, you may be able to sit up. When you’re comfortable, your provider will wipe the treatment areas with alcohol and insert sterilized needles. You should feel little to no discomfort. The needles are then left in for as long as needed, which may be a few minutes to a half hour. You may have to do multiple sessions for the best results.
If you’re interested in adding acupuncture to your wellness routine, book an appointment online or over the phone with Premier Spine and Sports Medicine today.