There are something medically everyone knows you should do. You should see your family physician at least once a year, your dentist at least twice a year and your 0ptometrist every couple of years. But not everybody knows about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and the many benefits it can provide for you. When thinking out how you should care for your health, setting up a regular check up with your acupuncturist could help reduce how many times you have to go to your family doctor. Why should you set up regular appointments with an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner? Let’s look at how getting regular acupuncture treatments can help you stay happy and healthy.
- As you start getting a regular check up by an acupuncturist, you will start to look at your health from a completely different perspective. With Chinese medicine you are playing a more active role in understanding your health and how to take a deeper look into how you can control your health, which may allow you to veer away from some of the mainstream medical practices such as multiple pharmaceuticals. After time many long-term acupuncture patients find they no longer need all the medications prescribed by their family physician, because the symptoms have been controlled using acupuncture.
- Acupuncture is great for prevention. In the ancient times Chinese physicians were paid for keeping the imperial leaders in China healthy. Chinese medicine is a prevention medicine. Because regular acupuncture treatments can balance hormones and boost immunity, there is a good chance you won’t need that annual flu shot or all those over-the-counter cold medications. A trained acupuncturist can spot a problem like decreased immunity from a mile away. It can appear as symptoms such as chronic fatigue, insomnia and even body temperature fluctuations. A couple of treatments can make a big difference.
- What about relieving some of that extra stress we all deal with? Yes, regular acupuncture treatments can keep that at bay too. Many people don’t equate being poked with tiny needles as a relaxation technique, but it truly is relaxing. Many patients actually fall asleep after or while the needles are being placed. Acupuncture changes the physiological state of your body and releases different hormones, neurotransmitters, and chemicals that will put your body in a relaxed state. The effects can last for days or even weeks. So the next time you feel irritable and overwhelmed, check out your local licensed acupuncturist.
- Regular acupuncture treatments can help you save money. What? It’s true. This goes back to the previous benefits. If you don’t need as many pharmaceuticals, you will ultimately save money. Also, conditions like stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression can keep you from going to work, possibly costing you several days of pay. But with regular acupuncture treatments, your moods can be more effectively managed and you won’t need to miss work as frequently.
- And the most popular reason to get regular acupuncture treatments is that it will help you remain pain free. We all have aches and pains. But research has shown acupuncture is more effective than opioids for controlling pain such as arthritic joint pain. It is also be incorporated into hospital emergency rooms throughout the United States, so people don’t need as many pain medications. As a matter of fact, in Asia, acupuncture is sometimes used by itself during and after surgical procedures to treat pain.
While many of you may have a needle phobia, don’t let that deter you. Acupuncture is part of an amazing medical system that has been around for nearly 3,000 years. In comparison, Western medicine has only been around for about 200 to 250 years. That puts things in perspective a little, especially when you consider most people in Asian countries live longer, happier, healthier lives than almost everybody in the United States. There’s no better time than the present to start a good habit. Just be sure to seek out a fully trained and licensed acupuncturist. Your whole life just might change for the better. If you are interested in trying acupuncture for the first time and have questions feel free to call us or come in and talk to one of our licensed acupuncturists at Master Lu’s Health Center in Salt Lake City.
