Acupuncture is an ancient form of medicine practiced around the world. It originated in China, but there are styles of acupuncture distinctive to Japan and other regions as well. Many people turn to acupuncture to treat their aches and pains. It's true that acupuncture can relieve muscle pain, but it can also treat other conditions. These three conditions can all be treated with acupuncture, although you might not have realized it:
1. Depression
Depression can be characterized as a long-lasting state of feeling sad, hopeless, or even irritable. People with depression often struggle to find interest in things around them, including relationships and activities they may have once enjoyed. Some types of depression are resistant to standard treatments, such as therapy and antidepressants, but acupuncture may be an effective way of treating depression.
During acupuncture, acupuncturists can stimulate points on the body that correspond to emotions. By relieving energy blockages, acupuncturists can help people with depression release their negative feelings so they can heal. You may find that you cry during acupuncture treatment for depression, but this is nothing to be embarrassed about and is, in fact, perfectly normal
2. Anxiety
Acupuncture can also help people who suffer from anxiety. As with depression, anxiety can be caused by energy imbalances. Acupuncture can release trapped energy and promote a state of deep relaxation. Breathing deeply as you undergo acupuncture can help you release your stress so your anxiety can melt away. Many people feel restored and relieved immediately after a single acupuncture session. If you find that acupuncture helps you manage your anxiety, you can add it to your mental health care regimen to help you keep stress at bay.
3. Insomnia
Some people struggle to get a good night's sleep, no matter how tired they are. A chronic inability to fall asleep or stay asleep is known as insomnia. Insomnia can lower a person's mood, reduce their ability to fight off illnesses, and make it hard for them to focus. Drugs are available to help people sleep, but many of these medications cause lasting side effects, such as next-day grogginess.
Insomnia can sometimes be a symptom of imbalances in the body. By bringing a body's energies back into healthy alignment, acupuncture can make it easier for people to fall asleep each night. Many people find that they're very tired after an acupuncture appointment. This is because the body is hard at work moving energy during an acupuncture session, even though patients are simply lying still. You may find that you want to take a long nap after arriving home from an acupuncture appointment.
Contact an acupuncturist to learn more about acupuncture treatment.