Acupuncture: What Can It Treat?

Conditions treated by acupuncture

Conditions treated by acupuncture will be listed and described in the article below. Unless you’ve lived under a rock, you must have heard of acupuncture. This ancient Chinese technique has garnered a lot of attention lately. Just a quick search on the internet, and you’ll find many people who swear by it. Some people use it as a last resort when all other mechanisms fail and experience a miraculous change in their diseases and conditions. And the number of conditions treated by acupuncture is no small feat.

conditions that can be treated with acupuncture

In 1997, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) US 1997 publicized and documented acupuncture’s effectiveness and safety for many conditions treated with acupuncture. If you’re not seeing any results from conventional methods or want a safer alternative, you might try acupuncture.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture stimulates specific anatomic sites, called acupuncture points, to promote self-healing and improve body function. Generally, a very thin, sterile needle is inserted into your skin during an acupuncture session. At times, heat, pressure, and electrical stimulation may amplify the positive effects.

Scientific research has shown that acupuncture affects the digestive, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. During an acupuncture session, various body systems are stimulated, which can help reduce pain, encourage digestion, improve sleep, and lead to overall well-being. It is widely hailed for its effectiveness in reducing pain from various conditions and chronic pain. Conditions treated by acupuncture also have fewer chances of arising again.

The clinical indications for acupuncture are broad and cover numerous neurological dysfunctions, addictions, mood disorders, urological problems, and even internal medicine conditions. However, the best-known acupuncture indications are pain management and chronic pain.

In addition, acupuncture can be combined with other conventional or alternative methods such as homeopathy, cupping, moxibustion, and herbal remedies to increase the benefits of conditions treated by acupuncture.

Which conditions are treated with acupuncture?

Conditions treated by acupuncture are various and can be acute or chronic. Results vary from person to person and are predominantly a safe procedure. However, generally, multiple sessions might be required before you see results.

Here are some conditions for which acupuncture can be a suitable option:

Depression is one of the most common conditions treated with acupuncture

Studies have shown that acupuncture can be very effective for mitigating depression symptoms and even treating the underlying problem. A study published in 2013 shows that electroacupuncture, a form of acupuncture in which electric current is transferred via needles, displayed similar effects to Prozac in lessening depression symptoms.

Another significant study showed that acupuncture could also help with sexual dysfunction, one of the most common ill effects of antidepressants. Improvements were noticed after just 12 weeks of treatment.

Diabetes tops the list of conditions treated by acupuncture

Acupuncture can benefit diabetes patients by improving blood sugar levels and lessening neuropathy symptoms and diabetes complications. In the US alone, 9.4% of the population has diabetes. Scientists have found that acupuncture can be helpful for:

  1. Maintaining optimal hormonal balance that affects diabetes
  2. Improving insulin resistance
  3. Protect pancreatic islet function
  4. Aid in weight loss
  5. Enhance blood glucose management

Acupuncture for Insomnia is highly demanded, effective, and safe

Insomnia is one of the conditions treated by acupuncture that can display significant improvements. Acupuncture helps lower anxiety levels, induces sleep onset, stimulates melatonin production, and reduces arousal and sleep disruption during the night.

These effects can lead to an overall increase in sleep time and quality. Research also shows that acupuncture effectively combats chronic pain, significantly contributing to sleeplessness.

Headaches – #1 on the list of conditions treated with acupuncture

Everyone suffers from headaches, one of the most common conditions treated by acupuncture. This ancient Chinese technique can effectively reduce the frequency of headaches and migraines. It is also well-tolerated and has minimal or no side effects. Acupuncture can be an effective remedy, especially for people who see no improvements through conventional intervention or medications.

During an acupuncture session, the needles can stimulate your nerves and release endorphins, which trigger a response from your body. Acupuncture believes that this stimulation relieves migraines and headaches.

Low Back Pain: Acupuncture for back pain is the most popular, safe, and effective treatment.

Out of 10 people, nearly 8 experience back pain at some point. Among conditions treated by acupuncture, back pain is the one reason people resort to this alternative technique.

Acupuncture for back pain can stimulate the nervous system, which is very beneficial for lower back pain sufferers. This stimulation can release hormones into your brain, spinal cord, and muscles, reducing pain and boosting your health and wellness.

Other than these conditions treated with acupuncture, numerous other conditions treated with acupuncture successfully include arthritis, menstrual pain, dental pain, and respiratory disorders, among many others. Additionally, acupuncture can be combined with other remedies and alternative treatments to increase effectiveness.

How do you find the best acupuncturist near me?

You’ve probably googled for the best acupuncturist near me, trying to book a session for acupuncture treatment. However, with the popularity of acupuncture, many acupuncture clinics have popped up, making it difficult to find a reliable and qualified acupuncturist. There are some precautions you must take.

Surf the net and find information on the acupuncturist you’re considering attending. Make sure they have a good website and read the reviews as well. If they don’t have a website, you should look elsewhere.

Ask for accreditation and the acupuncturist’s qualifications. You can also contact previous clients and hear their testimonies regarding the session. Book a consultation and ask as many questions as possible. If you feel uneasy or unimpressed with the consultation, you can search for another clinic.

Make sure that your acupuncturists are well-versed in the technique. Side effects predominantly occur when practitioners are ill-prepared.

Conclusion: Conditions treated by acupuncture represent a wide variety of different body system ailments.

Acupuncture is ideal for numerous illnesses and conditions. The list of medical conditions treated with acupuncture is virtually endless. The main advantage is that there are few or no side effects, and it is significantly more affordable. You might want to try acupuncture if you do not see results from conventional methods. Results vary, and usually, it’ll take a few sessions before you see positive changes. However, make sure that you refer to a qualified and experienced acupuncturist.

Best Acupuncture Near Me

Suppose you seek acupuncture treatment in Philadelphia, PA, or the nearest suburbs. You probably want the best specialists because an official acupuncture license is not as important as education, experience, and school graduation. Unfortunately, modern acupuncture is not as effective as classical acupuncture. It is because an acupuncturist who doesn’t understand the philosophy of five elements and Yin-Yang energies can’t create the proper protocol for treatment. Don’t trust an acupuncturist who asks about your diagnosis, complains, and jumps to the treatment. It takes a lot to understand a patient’s condition and apply the treatment, not to the area that manifests symptoms but to the whole body, considering your organism as a single system. If you hear that acupuncturists specialize in treating eye diseases or ENT, this provider is not adequately trained. We do not treat the left hand of the right foot. We treat the whole body.

That’s why you probably want to see the best acupuncturist. To find one, enter the Google search box “best acupuncture near me” or “best acupuncturist near me.” The search engine will display the best acupuncture in your area based on public reviews.  

Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic is proud to introduce David Wu, LAc, the master of oriental medicine. Dr. Wu graduated from a traditional acupuncture school in Beijing, where Dr. Tsan met him for the first time. “When I met him and talked to him, I said that one day I would hire you for my company,” Dr. Tsan said. And, since May 2022, David Wu has been our #1 TCM provider.

The Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic is the #1 acupuncture facility in the Philadelphia metro area.  We serve not only Philadelphians but also people from other states and countries.

The Medical Director of the Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic, Victor Tsan MD, chooses the best acupuncturists in the area to work at the clinic. We have an “All-Stars Team,” Dr. Tsan said.

Victor Tsan, MD and David Wu, LAc

Our providers have long-term academic and clinical experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, and Chinese medicinal herbs. Dr. Tsan interviewed and tested all acupuncturists, demonstrating their professionalism. “We do not settle for less,” Dr. Tsan continued. We are THE BEST.”

Our acupuncturist, Da Wei Hu (David Wu, LAc), graduated from the world-famous School of Acupuncture in Hong Kong and the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in the United States.

Summary