This week, the ancient practice of acupuncture made headlines across the country. Researchers have confirmed what many who receive and practice acupuncture have known all along.
According to ABC News, acupuncture works for some ailments. ABC News said that “more than three million people undergo acupuncture for chronic pain.”
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center researchers reviewed the studies of more than 18,000 patients and found acupuncture works for treating four chronic conditions.
These four chronic conditions are shoulder pain, back and neck pain, chronic headaches and osteoarthritis.
The review of the studies, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, “determined that 50 percent of true acupuncture patients experienced pain relief.”
A very good friend of mine who has studied yoga and other types of alternative medicine has always been a firm believer of acupuncture.
As she explained it to me, “Acupuncture opens up your chi.” Chi, also spelled qi or ch’i, is known in traditional Chinese medicine as your natural life force and energy.
For those of you who may need a translation, tiny acupuncture needles are inserted in key areas of your body , stimulating certain areas and increasing blood flow. Hence, some relief from your chronic pain.
For example, if you have sciatica the practice of acupuncture may reduce your pain.
In an article, Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD wrote, “Hairthin needles (that are usually not felt) are inserted into the skin near the area of pain. Acupuncture has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for back pain, and the National Institutes of Health recognized acupuncture as effective in relieving back pain, including sciatica.”
In another article written by Tyler Woods Ph.D., Woods confirms the use of acupuncture for certain ailments like sciatica. “Acupuncture help can reduce muscles spasm and inflammation associated with the sciatic nerve by improving blood flow to the lower back and increasing circulation. It helps relax muscles and may increase flexibility.”
Now for those of you who don’t like needles, an appointment with an acupuncturist may sound like a frightful experience. But, remember the needle has the width of a piece of hair and the pain is much less than receiving a flu shot.
As someone who suffers from chronic shoulder pain, I am a firm believer in acupuncture. One hour treatments range from $75-$150 dollars per session with the average being around $100 dollars, depending on what part of the country you reside in.
You can also search Groupon, Living Social or Deal Chicken for a discount session. A key thing to remember is you won’t find instant results and it may take up to three or four sessions to see some relief.
References:
Acupuncture May Actually Work for Pain After All - ABC News.
ABCNews.com - Breaking News, Latest News & Top Video News - ABC News.
Retrieved September 13, 2012, from
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/acupuncture-work-pain/story?id=17204118
Acupuncture May Offer Real Relief for Chronic Pain | Healthland |
TIME.com. Healthland | A healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit
| TIME.com. Retrieved September 13, 2012, from
http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/11/acupuncture-may-help-reduce-chronic-pain-after-all
Sciatica Treatment. Back Pain, Neck Pain, Lower Back Pain |
Spine-Health. Retrieved September 13, 2012, from
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/sciatica-treatment
Ten Tips to Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain . Emaxhealth: Daily Health
News. Retrieved September 13, 2012, from
http://www.emaxhealth.com/1357/45/35893/ten-tips-relieve-sciatic-nerve-pain.html
Reviewed September 13, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith