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Does Acupuncture Help With Chronic Pain?

Acupuncture is an alternative method of treatment that involves inserting thin needles into the body. The thin needles are inserted at specific points in your body. It is an old Chinese traditional method, and its purpose is to induce the body into self-healing.

Over the years, acupuncture was never accepted in the medical unit, until recently where it is used to treat various types of pain. It is a common practice for many people when they want to avoid taking drugs. Acupuncture can treat pain such as chronic pain, back pain, neck pain, and arthritis. This article gives you a highlight of how acupuncture helps relieve chronic pain.

Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Pain

Acupuncture on the knee, treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee

Research studies show that acupuncture can be used to treat chronic pain. Not only for treating chronic pain, but also for other physical and mental illnesses. Overall, acupuncture relieves 50% of chronic pain in a patient. Acupuncture works by inserting thin needles into specific points in the body. The needles are painless, and their main purpose is to correct imbalanced energy flow in the body. The process then helps reduce the severity of the muscle tension. In addition, acupuncture tries and identify the source of the pain by modulating endorphin levels. Patients with chronic pain are expected to see the acupuncturist regularly. This is to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and simply to maintain the general wellness of the body.

However, for anyone experiencing pain, it is advised to first visit a doctor before seeing an acupuncturist. Patients should have a clear diagnosis of what is causing the pain and identify serious medical problems so that they can be treated right away. After seeing a doctor, then you can find an acupuncturist.

Finding a Good Acupuncturist

For any patient looking for a new acupuncturist, you are advised to look for a certified and licensed acupuncturist. Above all these, the most important aspect is to find one that you are comfortable with.  Different styles in acupuncture are applied depending on different practitioners. Getting a practitioner with who you are comfortable is imperative. When comfortable, the process will be much easier unlike when you are not. Acupuncture is safe when done correctly and by the right person.

Credentials and Requirements for an Acupuncturist

Requirement and licensing for acupuncturists vary from state to state. Some states are strict while others are lenient. There are credited sites where one can look for an acupuncturist. On that site, all the acupuncturists have the required documents hence making it easy for one to find a good acupuncturist. Finding a good practitioner can be hard, but it is better to research until you find the best suited for you. In addition, if you have friends or family who has gone through the treatment, you can ask them to refer you to their acupuncturist.

Furthermore, before going for the acupuncture session, check if the acupuncturist will take your medical cover. Some will while others will not. In most cases, medical covers do not cover acupuncture. Check with your medical insurance company to confirm if they have an acupuncture cover. Ask the necessary questions like how many sessions it will cover, how much it will pay, conditions necessary for one to get covered for acupuncture, the deductible, the amount you will pay out of network acupuncturist, and if there is a referral to a specific acupuncturist.

Acupuncture is a process that can never be understood by anyone. It is a unique treatment that even doctors wonder how it works. It takes many years for one to understand the mechanism that involves acupuncture. The whole point of acupuncture is that it induces self-healing to the body. Doctors in the current generation are even encouraging patients to visit an acupuncturist. Being a drug-free treatment makes it better, unlike taking painkillers every time you experience pain in your body.

With the above information, acupuncture indeed helps relieve chronic pain. It is becoming a norm for people to try to go for acupuncture treatment. Not only does it help relieve pain but also helps someone relax. By inserting needles and balancing your energy flow, you will be able to feel fresh and energized. You should consider acupuncture as an alternative method of treatment. Once you confirm with your doctor, then find the right practitioner, you are good to start your acupuncture treatment. However, it is good to note that your results will mostly depend on the acupuncturist you decide to work with. Therefore, do your due diligence to find a good expert.