Acupuncture in the treatment of painful conditions
How Acupuncture Relieves Pain
Acupuncture affects the nervous system and also acts as a pain killer by releasing endorphins and activating an immune response. Acupuncture is believed to affect the brain chemistry by altering neurotransmitters, endorphins, serotonin and hormone release.
Cortisol, which is released by the pituitary gland, may also be released and helps reduce inflammation.
These shifts in the body's chemical balance can change how a person responds to pain and sensation as the messages are blocked.
Acupuncture can help calm the body and can be used as a treatment for chronic and acute pain. Severe pain is very stressful, acupuncture not only takes away the pain, it eliminate the associated stress effectively
Benefits of Acupuncture
Various methods can be helpful in treating pain, and most doctors will begin with medication. However, the body normally reacts to drugs by building up a tolerance, which often requires an increase in dosage to relieve pain and may cause an addiction to the medication over time. Using acupuncture for pain relief provides a noninvasive, drug-free method to minimize pain.
Acupuncture has few side effects, is non habit forming and can be a helpful complement to control pain, especially if used in conjunction with physical therapy or other noninvasive treatment methods.