Acupuncture is an oft-misunderstood science.
As a surgeon, I am often asked about the differences, drawbacks, and benefits of traditional versus holistic medicine. While I am obviously entrenched in the camp of western medicine, I have found that different methods work for different people, so I like to examine all the different types of healing. Acupuncture is one of the big ones, because most people don’t understand how sticking needles into your body can help the healing process. So I did a little research to try and understand it, and also to explain it for anyone out there who is curious.
Acupuncture dates back to Ancient Chinese medicine. Basically, the body consists of 12 energy channels, and each of those channels has a unique point of electrical resistance. Acupuncture needles help the movement of this energy through the body.
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In the simplest terms, the secret to acupuncture is cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone, and as we all know, stress can lead to many different illnesses. Acupuncture lowers cortisol levels, reducing and reversing inflammation, which can undo the damage of stress. For many people, acupuncture can treat migraines, hormonal imbalances, and issues with the gastrointestinal track.
At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to healing. But many of today’s health issues are related to stress. So in my mind, if you suspect that your health issues may be stress related, you might as well give acupuncture a try to see if it works for you. At the very least, maybe it will help you get over your fear of needles.