Treating Pain With Acupuncture
Pain is one of the most common symptoms we see in acupuncture clinics. In fact, I treat pain every single day I’m in clinic.
One of my specialties is pain management, so it’s something I feel passionate about.
And that’s mostly because, IT WORKS!
A large-scale research study published in the Journal of Pain in May 2018 determined that “…acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, with treatment effects persisting over time” [source].
If you’re living in pain, there’s a good chance that acupuncture can help.
What kinds of pain can acupuncture help with?
Back pain
Stiff neck
Joint pain of any kind (particularly shoulder, knee, wrist, hip, ankle)
Sciatic pain
Headaches (tension, sinus, and migraines)
Fibromyalgia
Nerve pain (neuropathies, shingles pain, etc.)
Chronic pain
Acute pain and swelling due to injury
Pain associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Toothache/jaw pain
Pain and cramping during menses
Acupuncture addresses a wide range of pain symptoms. So if you’re experiencing pain of almost any kind, I always recommend giving acupuncture a try.
How does acupuncture work to reduce such a variety of pain conditions?
Acupuncture:
Increases naturally produced painkillers such as opioids (for example, endorphins)
Reduces inflammation
Allows the body to naturally reduce cortisol (the body’s “stress hormone”)
Regulates the autonomic nervous system to adjust the way the brain processes pain
Increases circulation to the muscles, connective tissue, and organs
Acupuncture reduces inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) [source]and inflammation-generating cytokines [source].
It increases naturally-occurring opioids in the body (such as endorphins, enkephalins, and dopamine) which reduce inflammation and mediate the pain response [source 1, 2, 3].
Acupuncture regulates cortisol levels, which in turn lowers blood pressure, regulates metabolism, and reduces high blood sugar [source].
Acupuncture regulates the vagus nerve (cranial nerve 10), which connects the brain stem to the rest of the body [source]. The vagus nerve keeps the brain informed on what’s happening in the rest of the body. Acupuncture positively interferes with the way the vagus nerve – and therefore the brain – perceives pain.
Acupuncture increases blood flow [source], which stimulates healing, as blood carries oxygen and essential nutrients to the tissues.
Check out this interesting article from Bustle which explains the many ways acupuncture impacts our brains and bodies:
7 Ways Acupuncture Changes Your Brain, According to Science
Did you know that acupuncture is so helpful in the treatment of back pain that it is recommended by the American College of Physicians.
In a 2017 article, the American College of Physicians directed that doctors should prescribe conservative modalities (including acupuncture, chiropractic and massage) before prescribing medication [source].
This recommendation is based on the research supporting acupuncture’s efficacy in treating pain. The goal is that acupuncture will be utilized instead of prescription medications, to help reduce the opioid epidemic.
How many treatments will I need?
Many people feel improvement after their first treatment, but to make long-lasting results, multiple treatments are usually needed.
Acupuncture is cumulative - there is a momentum that builds with a series of treatments. We create a strong foundation by stacking the results of each treatment on the ones before it. A typical course of treatment is one treatment a week for 4-8 weeks. After that, we try to start spacing treatments out, to see how long you can go between treatments while still feeling great.
And of course, it always depends on the individual. Pain that has been chronic for many years typically takes longer to improve than acute pain, and certain types of chronic pain, like fibromyalgia or arthritis, might require maintenance treatments every 4-6 weeks.
You deserve to live free of pain. Come visit us to see how acupuncture can help!
You can schedule online here, or feel free to call (250)253-5609