By Jacqui | Nov 16, 2017 | Acupuncture, Pain & Injury
Acupuncture works to allow the body to heal itself without the harmful side effects of pain medications. It enhances blood circulation to the injured area as well as relaxes the muscles and tissues. With proper circulation, blood and nutrients flow freely to the muscles to repair the tissues.
The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing abilities, reducing inflammation, and promoting physical and emotional well-being
Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce its own pain relieving chemicals called “endorphins.” These chemicals mimic morphine by attaching to opiate receptor sites found throughout the nervous system. Endorphins help to block pathways that relay pain messages from the body to the brain, resulting in relief of pain, general relaxation and biochemical restoration of the body’s own internal regulation systems.
According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of Complimentary Alternative Medicine use by Americans, 1.4 percent of respondents (an estimated 3.1 million Americans) said they had used acupuncture in the past year. A special analysis of acupuncture data from an earlier NHIS found that pain or musculo-skeletal complaints accounted for 7 of the top 10 conditions for which people use acupuncture. Back pain was the most common, followed by joint pain, neck pain, severe headache/migraine, and recurring pain.