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Acupuncture and Addictions
Chinese medicine which includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, Chinese medical massage, nutrition, and exercise has been becoming more and more popular here in the West. Acupuncture is the most popular of the modalities utilized. Most people know acupuncture is good for the treatment of pain conditions such as low back pain, headaches, neck pain, and shoulder pain. One area not mentioned as much is that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine has been shown to be effective for the treatment of alcohol and drug addictions.
Development of Acupuncture and the Treatment of Substance Abuse in the West
Since the 1970’s, acupuncture has been used to treat drug and alcohol addictions publicly here in the United States. One of the first treatment centers to use acupuncture to treat alcohol and drugs was at Lincoln Hospital in New York. There are now treatment centers all across the country that implement acupuncture as part of the drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. In fact, according to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration federally there are around 500 treatment centers that use some form of acupuncture for addictions, and world wide there are around 1500 treatment centers that use acupuncture for the treatment of alcohol and drug addictions.
There is an increase of rehabilitation centers implementing acupuncture as part of their current rehabilitation programs. There are even medical schools that are training their psychiatric residents ear acupuncture to treat substance abuse. The use of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy along with other therapies continues to grow.
How Acupuncture Works for Substance Abuse
Acupuncture is very effective for substance abuse. You may say how does it work? According to Chinese medicine substance abuse and addictions is an imbalance within the body. When a Chinese physician does a Chinese medical diagnosis they will find what is out of balance within the body. Chinese medicine diagnosis is very individualistic and may be different from person to person even though the disease being seen is the same disease according to Western medicine. According to the Chinese medicine diagnosis found, the Chinese physician will choose modalities such as acupuncture to balance your body that will promote the stimulation your body’s self-healing mechanisms. Your body has the capability of self-healing, and acupuncture facilitate your body to self-heal in an effective and natural way.
According to Western biomedicine, acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the brain particularly the pituitary and hypothalamus region. Research has shown that acupuncture will release different hormones, chemicals, and neurotransmitters. Some of the different substances that acupuncture has been shown to release are endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. The regulation and release of these natural substances in your body will allow your body to self-heal and become balanced again.
One of the biggest problems with substance abuse is of course the psychological aspect, but also the cravings and physical aspects. Acupuncture will allow you to calm your mind and become more focused as well as control the cravings for any drugs and alcohol. Acupuncture will help you to take control and overcome addictions in a natural way.
Some Additional Natural Methods to Help with Addictions
Chinese medicine is comprised of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, exercise, nutrition, and Chinese medical massage. Acupuncture along with Chinese herbs, nutrition, and exercise is a complete holistic method of helping with substance abuse.
It is important to exercise and have good nutrition. Tai Chi is a great exercise to improve your emotional state and depression. It will assist you with any of the emotional aspects that are related to substance abuse. Good nutrition is also very important. It is important to eat in a balanced manner with lots of vegetables and fruit. The fruits and vegetables will also help you to detox when overcoming addictions.
We hope that this helps you to make the best choice to overcome substance abuse. If you have family members that may have problems with substance abuse, we hope this helps you to teach them some of the alternative methods of overcoming addictions.
If you or family have any problems with addictions please have them call us at 801-463-1101 or go to our website at www.luhealthcenter.com to learn more and schedule an appointment to come in. We do offer FREE consultations and will be happy to talk more about any problems you may have with you or your family
– See more at: http://www.luhealthcenter.com/acupuncturesubstanceabuse/#sthash.6qBnJKc0.dpuf
