In addition to pain relief, acupuncture can help promote overall well-being and improvements to the patient's immune system. This can help lessen the long-term effects of chronic pain disorders.

Acupuncture for Arthritis

One application where acupuncture is especially effective is in arthritis treatment. Arthritis causes swelling and joint pain, especially in elderly people, and it's usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. A study from the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine found that acupuncture both reduces pain and improves mobility in osteoarthritis sufferers.

Acupuncture for Infertility

Although acupuncture is frequently used to treat pain conditions, it has many other applications. One area where acupuncture has proven to be effective is fertility treatment. Acupuncture has been used to treat infertility for centuries, but it has recently gained the support of modern science. For example, one study of 28 men showed that acupuncture treatments administered twice a week could have a statistically significant impact on sperm count.

Other studies have shown that acupuncture treatments are effective for female infertility as well. This study suggests that acupuncture coupled with IVF treatments can increase the effectiveness of IVF and improve chances of successful conception. This may be due to an overall increase in the body's natural immune system, or it could be caused by other natural reactions that are not yet evident from the research.

Acupuncture for Depression

Physical ailments are not the only things that can be treated with acupuncture. A growing body of research shows that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for depression and other mental disorders. Specifically, the release of endorphins experienced during acupuncture treatment may help to stimulate the brain and reduce depression symptoms. Eight randomized medical trials support acupuncture's efficacy for depression.

Currently, depression is generally treated with the use of drugs that alter the brain's receptiveness and production of certain mood-altering chemicals such as serotonin. It's believed that acupuncture has a similar effect. By stimulating the patient's nerves, the acupuncturist encourages the patient's brain to produce more mood-lifting chemicals, which can help restore balance in the patient's brain.

These are just a few of the many acupuncture applications offered in modern medicine. As the practice becomes more widespread, further studies will be completed that will help doctors and researchers understand why acupuncture is so effective for so many different ailments. This in turn will help to create more effective acupuncture treatments and help more people overcome their medical concerns.

How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture is considered safe and effective. It involves the insertion of very thin needles into the tissue of a patient. A licensed acupuncturist knows where to place these needles in order to get the desired effect. Each needle is placed near a nerve or "acu-point" near the affected area. These needles may be left in for several minutes; the acupuncturist might also manipulate the needles or run electrical current through them to boost their effect. These treatments may be repeated several times a week for a long period or until symptoms subside.

Acupuncture is believed by modern science to work in two primary ways. The first is that the needles stimulate the nervous system, which sends signals to the pain receptors in the brain. This in turn dulls the effects of pain by blocking those pain receptors. This is what makes acupuncture treatment especially useful for managing and treating pain from injuries and illness.

Additionally, the treatment raises levels of certain hormones that act as natural anti-inflammatory agents in the body. Coupled with the blocked pain receptors, this leads to both a reduction of pain symptoms and expedited healing. The release of hormones also helps to counteract the effects of depression and other psychological problems, and it may help in boosting the immune system of patients to promote long-term health.

Although some have suggested that the placebo effect may be behind some results seen from acupuncture, the results of 29 separate studies suggests that acupuncture is measurably more effective than placebo or "sham" treatments. The data in this study was collected over six years and includes information from several countries, which lends substantial credibility to acupuncture treatments.

Additional studies will undoubtedly refine these results and give further support to the power of acupuncture. As more uses of acupuncture are discovered, these treatments may become even more mainstream.

Whether you're currently suffering from arthritis, depression or another ailment, consider learning more about acupuncture treatments and discussing your options with a doctor. Acupuncture may help complement existing treatment options, or it may become the primary method of treatment. Either way, exploring this safe form of alternative healing is a good idea when managing your health. Acupuncture is becoming more accepted here in greater Cincinnati and in the nation as research demonstrates its natural healing benefits.

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