Acupuncture is well known for it’s ability to treat pain, but what many people don’t know is that acupuncture is more about maintaining extraordinary health, than treating disease. In fact, the main focus of Acupuncture and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is to improve overall wellbeing in a patient, not focus on isolated treatment of specific symptoms.
#1 reason to seek out acupuncture is because it is more important to prevent disease than treat disease. A person who is relatively healthy will respond quicker, and need fewer treatments, than someone who’s system has already become compromised.
#2, is Chinese medical theory understands the human body from an energetic stand point, where our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy-referred to as Qi. The flow of Qi can be disrupted by many factors including emotional responses like anger, fear, sorrow, or anxiety, or poor nutritional habits, trauma, weather, infections, sleep problems, and hereditary factors. The basic idea is proper movement of Qi is life giving, and stagnation of Qi brings disharmony and disease.
#3, Chinese medicine sees the stomach and spleen as the central source for creating Qi & Blood in the body, which are the primary and most basic substances for supporting life. When the digestion is afflicted, the whole body suffers. Acupuncture can improve your digestion, regulate bowels, and re-energize a tired and stressed out system.
#4, Acupuncture will improve your mood. In TCM, emotions are influenced by the movement of Qi, but they can also dampen it’s movement. By keeping the smooth flow of Qi in the body, one can more easily process change and handle stressful situations.
#5, when someone just feels off, maybe getting one too many colds, feeling achy, tired, and easily overwhelmed - these are often pre-symptoms to dis-ease. Acupuncture can intervene and prevent the imbalance from worsening, and support the body’s own healing response.
So, if you want to stay healthy and focus on longevity, I suggest having regular acupuncture treatments. You will sleep better, increase your energy, feel less fatigued, and have a overall sense of wellbeing. Even if you don’t have anything to address when seeking treatment, your body will thank you for it!