Millions of people in the UK, and across the globe, receive acupuncture each year to address a wide range of health concerns and ailments.
As this traditional Chinese medical practice has grown in popularity, greater research and a growing number of studies demonstrate how people can benefit.
If you are interested in learning about the benefits of acupuncture, then keep reading.
Here, we’ll delve into everything you must know about acupuncture and explain how you can make it part of your health and wellbeing routine.
What is the main benefit of acupuncture?
Acupuncture has several benefits, but its main one is an ability to restore balance and harmony throughout the body.
According to the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body’s vital energy, ‘qi’, flows through pathways called meridians. When these pathways are blocked, the body becomes imbalanced, and health issues can develop as a result. By using acupuncture to insert hair-thin needles into acupoints, these pathways can be stimulated and cleared to restore qi’s flow.
While many people turn to acupuncture for pain relief, it offers so much more and is used to tackle a range of conditions. They include chronic pain, stress, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, migraines, reproductive health problems and even immune system deficiencies.
By tapping into the body’s natural healing responses, acupuncture can offer a non-invasive and safe way to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing.
How long does it take to see the benefits of acupuncture?
Each person responds to treatments differently, and the time frame for experiencing the benefits of acupuncture depends on factors like the condition, its severity and any co-existing health issues.
Some patients experience immediate relief and note improvements after a single session, while others may require multiple sessions to achieve long-lasting results.
Practitioners will tell you that acupuncture is not a quick fix to health issues; instead, it encourages long-term healing within the body.
By regularly attending sessions and following the advice of your practitioners, your body is more likely to adapt and respond quicker to sessions.
What not to do after acupuncture?
Once you’ve had your first acupuncture session, it is important to take steps to not only maximise the benefits but to avoid feeling unwell.
Acupuncture is an incredibly safe practice, but to ensure the best experience, we recommend the following:
Hydrate: Staying hydrated is the key to supporting your body’s natural immune response and will aid in the detoxification process that acupuncture initiates.
Relax: After an acupuncture session, we recommend taking it easy and avoiding strenuous exercise. Giving your body time to rest and recover will aid with the healing process.
No alcohol or caffeine: For 24 hours after your acupuncture session, we recommend avoiding alcohol and caffeine because they can disrupt your body’s balance and counteract the healing process.
Maintain your body temperature: Try to avoid any activities that will rapidly increase or decrease your body’s temperature, like hot or cold baths, saunas, steam rooms or hot tubs, as this can interfere with body reharmonising.
Eat light: Avoid eating foods that are too heavy, or high in sugar, and instead choose nutrient-dense foods that will support the body’s immune response.
Get a good night’s sleep: After a day of resting and relaxing, you should aim to get a good night’s sleep to allow your body time to fully recover.
How often should you get acupuncture?
This is a question we are often asked, and the answer varies from person to person.
The frequency of your acupuncture sessions will depend entirely on your health goals, the condition being treated, and how your body responds to acupuncture.
Those suffering from acute conditions such as a sprain or sudden pain may require more frequent sessions to promote a quicker recovery. Equally, chronic conditions such as stress or long-term pain may require more regular sessions that increase or decrease over time to suit the patient’s needs.
We hope this article has helped you to understand the benefits of acupuncture, and we always recommend working with a qualified acupuncturist who can tailor a treatment plan to address your needs.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of acupuncture and understand how you can make it part of your well-being regime, feel free to visit our website or get in touch with our team today by calling 0800 051 76 88.
