What are the Benefits of Acupuncture?
Acupuncture offers numerous benefits to the body, some which might surprise you. Whether it’s being more productive and higher performing at work or being able to enjoy your life with less stress, pain and chronic symptoms, acupuncture is a non-invasive therapy that’s worth exploring.
Maybe you’ve been curious about acupuncture as a natural therapy. We understand. Here at Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, we see many patients new to acupuncture and are happy to guide them through the process. We’re proud to offer this beneficial therapy at our renowned practice known for high standards in chiropractic care and physical therapy. At Oakland Spine you can rest assured that our highly trained staff of doctors and licensed acupuncturists draw on their depth of experience to provide the highest level of care.
Oakland Spine offers a convenient location to access acupuncture care in the North Jersey region. Our four locations, in Oakland, Wayne, Fair Lawn, and Closter make it easy for residents of North Jersey to receive life-changing care that relieves pain, supports their wellness journey and allows them to enjoy more of their lives again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, where it originated as a way to help balance the flow of energy, known as “chi.” Tiny needles are placed in the skin of very specific areas of the body to rebalance chi. Western medicine has begun to embrace the benefits of acupuncture as a way to stimulate muscles, nerves and an overall healing process, while acting as a natural painkiller for the body.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Because acupuncture needles are so thin and flexible, they are not going to produce the sensations we normally associate with receiving a needle. This means most people will only experience a slight feeling of pressure, a warming sensation or a bit of an electric feel. Sensations like these are normal and mean that the area is being properly stimulated. You should never feel intense pain or discomfort from acupuncture.
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes, acupuncture is safe and an accepted therapy supported by many of the world’s leading health organizations like the WHO and Mayo Clinic. Because acupuncture involves the use of thin needles, you should always choose a well-respected and experienced practitioner who is licensed in acupuncture. For instance, here at Oakland Spine, our acupuncture services are all provided by our highly-trained staff with doctors of acupuncture and licensed acupuncturists at each of our four North Jersey locations. Single-use needles are always used to prevent any risk of cross-contamination.
Let’s explore some of the many benefits of acupuncture, including some surprising perks to this time-honored procedure:
10 of the Best Benefits of Acupuncture
- Headache and Migraine Relief
There is scientific evidence from various studies that support acupuncture helping prevent and reduce the frequency of migraines. In fact, one review found acupuncture more effective than prescription migraine medication. There’s also evidence to support acupuncture as a treatment option for chronic sufferers of tension headaches. This can be a good option for patients looking for an alternative to prescription medication, particularly for those who have experienced side effects from headache medications.
- Reduced Stress
In today’s fast-paced world, most of us are looking for ways to effectively manage our stress levels. As we learn about the wide-ranging health dangers of chronic stress, it becomes increasingly necessary to find appropriate ways to counteract this day-to-day anxiety and worry. By helping to balance the body’s energy flow, acupuncture can help improve moods by reducing anxiety and inspiring feelings of happiness. In fact, our patients often report a lighter, happier feeling after an acupuncture session.
- Chronic Back Pain Relief
Probably one of the best known benefits, acupuncture is renowned for its ability as a natural painkiller. If you are looking for a drug-free way to reduce pain and stiffness caused by inflammation and chronic conditions, acupuncture may be a helpful treatment option. While many people seek relief from back pain, acupuncture can also be beneficial in helping to reduce joint pain, including knee, wrist and shoulder pain.
- Support Eye Health
One of the lesser known benefits of acupuncture, the therapy can help to reduce eye strain, which is a common complaint for people who sit in front of a monitor or phone screen for extended periods of time. In addition, acupuncture may also help improve eye conditions such as myopia (short-sightedness), hypermetropia (long sightedness), astigmatism and night blindness. For those suffering from cataract, glaucoma or presbyopia, acupuncture may be worth exploring as well.
- Allergy Relief
Because acupuncture can support a healthy immune response, it can be beneficial in reducing the symptoms that allergy sufferers find the most troublesome, like sneezing and itchy eyes. And the good news is that it can even be paired with allergy medications to provide greater, more effective relief from common allergies such as seasonal hay fever.
- Improve Insomnia
Many patients don’t want to rely on sleep medications to get a good night’s sleep. That’s where acupuncture can help. By balancing the body’s energy and properly stimulating the nervous system, acupuncture has been shown to help improve a patient’s ability to fall asleep naturally and enjoy restful, quality sleep.
- Reduce Cigarette Cravings
If you are attempting to quit smoking, acupuncture can be a beneficial part of a smoking cessation program. It can help to reduce your cravings as well as soothe the feelings of jitteriness and irritability that comes with quitting a nicotine addiction. As an additional benefit, acupuncture can set your body on the road to healing from the damage of cigarette smoke, by encouraging detoxification and promoting lung repair.
- Improve Digestion
For those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or other chronic digestive issues, acupuncture can help to restore balance and reduce symptoms such as excess gas, constipation, bloating and diarrhea.
- Support the Immune System
If you’re looking for a natural way to reduce your number of sick days, acupuncture may be the therapy for you. While acupuncture can provide a boost to the immune system, it’s also beneficial in helping to reduce the duration of colds to help you get back to feeling like yourself again.
- Enhanced Mental Clarity and Increased Energy
Tired of brain fog, forgetting things or struggling with your concentration? Acupuncture can help to enhance mental clarity by reducing stress, improving sleep and providing a boost of energy. If you have been feeling sluggish or out of energy, acupuncture is a simple step to helping regain vitality and mental clarity.
Receive Acupuncture Treatment in North Jersey
Do you suffer from pain, stress or want to improve your body’s healing? Did you notice something on this list that you’re dealing with but didn’t know acupuncture could help? If you live in North Jersey, reach out to Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, our team of doctors and licensed acupuncturists are ready to help. We welcome new patients and are happy to introduce you to the process and walk you through it. Experience why our patients have become believers in the benefits of this ancient therapy.
