LiveWell Louisiana

The Benefits of Acupuncture

Traditionally practiced in China for centuries, acupuncture is the practice of stimulating certain points on the body through the insertion of small needles.
September 27th, 2013 by: Lianna Patch

What is Acupuncture?

Traditionally practiced in China for centuries, acupuncture is the practice of stimulating certain points on the body through the insertion of small needles.

These points are generally located along the body’s “meridians,” channels through which your qi, or chi, flows. Through this stimulation, bodily imbalances or “disharmonies” are resolved.

Your acupuncturist will generally begin your session by consulting with you and discussing any areas of pain or tension. He or she may also take your pulse and inspect your tongue; in traditional Chinese medicine, pulse rate and tongue appearance are linked to wellness.

 

Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is believed to be effective for chronic pain, neurological issues, stroke rehabilitation, and other disorders. It can relieve nausea, migraines and tension headaches, and may also be beneficial for detoxifying the body.

In addition, the benefits of acupuncture may also include increasing blood flow and fertility.

 

Is Acupuncture Right for Me?

As with many health and wellness treatments, the only way to know if acupuncture is a good choice for your body is to try it!

If you have an aversion to needles, consider acupressure instead — this practice relies on many of the same principles as acupuncture, but involves simple pressure instead of needles.