Acupuncture is one of the oldest health care systems of Traditional Chinese Medicines.
It is said to be developed over 2000 years ago to rebalance energy flow among various strategic points of one’s body.
These balanced strategic points play important roles in boosting our health by protecting us from many ailments.
The practice of acupuncture requires extremely thin needles which are inserted in certain places of one’s body called strategic points.
It is often safe if it is performed by experienced individuals.
Some of the common side effects of acupuncture include viral hepatitis, bacterial infections, puncture of organs etc.
In the ancient times, the most common application of acupuncture was treating pains. But, with its proven medicinal benefits, it is now often used in treating pain and discomfort associated with the multitude of diseases.
Some of those diseases or health conditions include:
Headaches including migraine headaches,
Nausea,
Vomiting,
Osteoarthritis,
Pain of lower back,
Dental pain etc.
The scientific evidence of acupuncture:
For osteoarthritis: Acupuncture finds its way in treating osteoarthritis. There are supporting scientific evidence for the same.
According to a published study by the University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville on the randomized trial of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis, the practice of acupuncture is recommended as an alternative treatment for the knee osteoarthritis. (1)
2. Acupuncture for neck pains :
Neck pain or neck disorder is one the most common musculoskeletal system disorder anybody can face at any time. The disorder results in discomfort and restrains routine jobs. But, acupuncture is a very beneficial pain reliever.
According to the published study by the DeGroote School of Medicine, acupuncture is found effective in treating neck pain in adults.(2)
The study finds that the subjects who undergo acupuncture complain less-pain than those who did not attend it.
3. Acupuncture for insomnia:
Insomnia is a condition when someone has troubled sleep.
The reason for insomnia may be anything from irregular sleep timings, certain medications, anxiety/depression/stress, health conditions, as well as the uneasy sleeping environment.
The condition affects millions of people worldwide. (3)
Insomnia can also be eased through acupuncture.
According to a study by the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, acupuncture is found useful in treating insomnia in adults. But, the same study recommends further investigation of the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating insomnia to conclude. (4)
How much does acupuncture cost?
The cost of acupuncture treatment is not fixed and may vary country to country and city to city.
It may also depend upon the experience and knowledge of your acupuncture therapist.
However, according to the British Acupuncture Council, the average cost for the first consultation was nearly 50 euros in 2011. The average cost for each session was 40 euros in the same year.
The average cost per session of acupuncture in the United States varies from $65 to $125 per person.
It may be slightly less or higher based on your location and your acupuncturist.
The cost does not matter if your acupuncture sessions go well and you start seeing positive results.
In many studies, people have been treated in one or two sessions a week for a couple of weeks followed by a monthly maintenance.
What’re your thoughts about acupuncture?
Did you ever attend any session?
What is your experience?
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