Health and Fitness · May 28, 2021

What Is Acupuncture and How Does It Work?

Acupuncture is a practice of traditional Chinese medicine that professionals conduct. It is a practice of gently piercing thin needles into certain areas of the skin to relieve pain or treat illnesses. It started during ancient times and is still a part of Chinese culture to this day. The concept of acupuncture emerged to bridge the gap between the body and nature.

Aside from maintaining the health of your body,  It also helps to treat medical conditions such as insomnia, depression, and headaches. This practice has been around for more than 2000 years. Back in the old days, acupuncture needles were made of iron, bronze, gold. However, today, most of the acupuncture is done with stainless steel needles as they are much thinner and painless for this procedure.

Acupuncture treatment can help treat whooping cough, lower back pains, smoking addiction, and dental pain. It is still controversial whether acupuncture treatment helps to reduce labor pain or not, but it does have some positive effects.

How Does It Work?

There is a theory regarding acupuncture treatment in Chinese tradition which states that all kinds of illnesses are caused by the imbalance of “yin” and “yang” in your body. “Yin” is called night, and “yang” is called day. It is said that there is no yang or yin without the other one. In Chinese culture, it is also noted that every organ in your body has a yin and yang in it. There is another concept which is called “qi”, pronounced as “chee”. It creates a pathway of flow on the acupuncture points in the body. Scientifically, these points do not exist. But in acupuncture, needles are pierced  into these points

When the needle is inserted into these points, it balances the blood flow and quickens the nervous system. A lot of people get acupuncture to reduce stress or to treat chronic illnesses. Acupuncture sometimes does not work right away; it takes some weeks to get better. It also depends on your age because the more strong you are, the more quickly it’ll affect your body. The needles are left for around 20-25 minutes into the skin. Nothing wrong happens if the needles are left for too long because, in the Chinese method, they sometimes leave the needles for a few days, and this can actually drain all the energy your body has.

What Should You Not Do After Getting Acupuncture?

After getting acupuncture, don’t stress your body too much. Don’t overwork because it is the period where the acupuncture actually works, and working your body can mess it. Avoid consuming something cold because it can tamper with the effects of acupuncture. Furthermore, avoid consuming strong beverages after the procedure, such as alcohol or coffee, that can negatively impact your body.

The Bottom Line

Acupuncture is an effective way to alleviate stress and remove negative energy from your body. If you are thinking of getting acupuncture, then we highly recommend that you consult a professional. However, do not attempt to try acupuncture at home. If acupuncture treatment is not done correctly, it can lead to the development of wounds, sores, and, in worse cases, severe skin infections.