Does Acupuncture Really Hurt?
It’s a common misconception. When people learn that acupuncture treatments involve inserting needles, many assume that it must hurt but they’re wrong. When delivered by licensed and board certified acupuncture physicians, this time-tested form of holistic health care does not cause discomfort. In fact, many patients find a visit to the acupuncture physician downright relaxing. Are you searching for a painless acupuncture treatment in Lakewood Ranch, Florida? For top-quality care that can help without hurting, you can trust the professionals at Lakewood Ranch Acupuncture and Wellness.
Not Your Doctor’s Needles
Patients tend to get understandably tense when doctors reach for their hypodermic needles. After all, whether it is an injection of a vaccine, a numbing agent or some other medication, getting a shot generally involves some discomfort. With acupuncture, needles are a necessity, but the experience is completely different. When delivered by experienced acupuncture physicians,this trusted form of complementary medicine is a pain-free treatment.
Acupuncture involves getting pricked with multiple needles, so why do people who have undergone it describe it as relaxing? Don’t needles inevitably cause discomfort? The needles that an acupuncture physician uses do not. In part,this is because they are not the same as the ones stocked by your doctor’s office. No thicker than a cat’s whisker, an acupuncture needle is a solid but pliable sliver of stainless steel. It’s significantly smaller and more flexible than the hypodermic needle found in a doctor’s toolkit. How much smaller is it?Roughly 40 acupuncture needles can be tucked neatly inside the head of a standard hypodermic needle. The way an acupuncture needle is used is also quite different. While hypodermic needles are plunged deep into veins or muscles to deliver medications, thread-like acupuncture needles are inserted shallowly into specific locations by knowledgeable professionals. Believe it or not, many patients find that they cannot identify exactly where acupuncture needles have been placed by touch alone. Although the acupuncturist’s movements as they insert the needles provide a general sense of location, patients often have to look to learn exactly where the needles have been positioned.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
A form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture has been a trusted healing modality for thousands of years, and the body of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness in treating a wide array of ailments and health concerns is continually growing. How does it work? According to TCM, a complex network of energy pathways called meridians transport qi, or energy, throughout the human body. When these pathways become blocked, the balance of qi is thrown out of whack, and pain or illness is the result. By diagnosing the imbalance and gently placing a series of acupuncture needles in specific acupuncture points along the meridians, an acupuncturist can remove the obstructions and restore homeostasis, balance and wellness.
Researchers have discovered other factors that may further explain acupuncture’s effectiveness. Several studies have shown that this treatment improves circulation, and increased circulation is known to have healing benefits. In addition, scientists know and understand that acupuncture prompts the body to release a variety of hormones, neurotransmitters and other natural chemicals that can reduce pain, improve mood, promote healing and result in better sleep. In fact, some patients actually doze off while receiving an acupuncture treatment.
It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s true. Acupuncture is a holistic form of complementary medicine that improves wellness and treats various health issues by inserting needles into the skin without causing discomfort. At Lakewood Ranch Acupuncture and Wellness, we’re delighted to offer our patients painless acupuncture treatments. If you value wellness and are tired of not feeling your best, let our team of experienced, licensed acupuncture physicians support you in your quest for better health. Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment.
