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Acupuncture? This Is Why You Need To Try It!
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What conditions can acupuncture help with?
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in relieving pain associated with muscle soreness, sprains, and stiffness. It is also beneficial for people with more serious, chronic conditions, like arthritis. One study performed at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese medicine found that acupuncture can be quite beneficial to people living with knee arthritis. The six-month study involved over 550 participants, who each received acupuncture treatment four to five times a week, as well as a Chinese form of massage called Tui Na. Researchers found that the participants receiving acupuncture experienced a 40 percent improvement in functionality and decrease of pain versus the control groups.
There is evidence which indicates that acupuncture can help people dealing with hypertension (high blood pressure) as well. A study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that acupuncture appears to help down regulate a cell signaling protein called TNF-α, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha, as well as endothelin which is stimulated by TNF-α. What does this mean in plain English? Both these compounds play a role in constricting blood vessels, which raises blood pressure. Since the acupuncture lowers the levels of TNF-α, it results in lower blood pressure. The Johns Hopkins Study done on over 70 patients showed that on average, acupuncture was it was able to lower systolic blood pressure by 7-8mm Hg and by 4mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure.
Acupuncture has also proven to be beneficial for people undergoing stroke rehabilitation, women dealing with morning sickness and menstrual cramps, and cancer patients dealing with side effects of chemotherapy.
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Consult with your doctor and an acupuncture practitioner to see if it is right for you. Even if you have a serious medical condition, acupuncture could prove to be highly beneficial for you on top of your existing treatment.
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