There is always a misconception about the needles used in Acupuncture therapy. Many people think that Acupuncture is scary or that it hurts a lot. It is indeed scary thinking about those numerous needles on your body, but that's not what you think! Acupuncture is a treatment that uses very thin needles inserted into the skin to stimulate specific points in the body to relieve a health condition or symptom. The practice comes from traditional Chinese medicine and several Scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness for various conditions.

Acupuncture involves trained professionals to carefully locate the acupuncture points on our body. These points are directly linked to almost every crucial muscle and organ of the body. Locating these pressure points on the body relieves stress and soothes the pain by the use of these thin needles.

An acupuncturist will use these needles to stimulate the sensory nerves in the skin and muscles. This stimulation can help treat chronic pain and other physical conditions. There have been countless studies carried out to explore the health benefits of acupuncture over the years.

Researchers of the treatment believe it can help to cure infertility, improve mental health illnesses, and reduce the pain associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis and lower back problems.

The Process of Acupuncture

Chinese medicine calls the energy that flows through the body Qi. Acupuncture practitioners believe Qi disruptions create imbalances in the body’s energy leading to illness. Acupuncture aims to rebalance this Qi to bring back the balance of life. With the help of these needles, the practitioner accesses the acupuncture points (acupoints) throughout the body.

There are hundreds of acupoints in the body along 14 major meridians, also called energy-carrying channels.

The needles stimulate the body’s existing systems to:

• React to an illness or symptom.
• Rebalance the body.
• Release natural chemicals, such as endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers; the chemicals that control nerve impulses.

Also read,

• How acupuncture works in relieving pain?
• What Are The Benefits Of Acupressure?
• How can acupuncture help people suffering from side effects of cancer?

Are the Needles safe?

A study carried out in 2001 by the British Acupuncture Council found that the risk of a patient suffering an adverse reaction to the treatment is less than one in 10,000. This makes it significantly safer than the majority of other medical procedures.

In the hands of an expert acupuncturist, the use of needles is completely safe as these acupuncturists spend years learning about the acupoints. With time, they become masters of precision and accuracy.

However, with so many needles being used to carry out acupuncture, there is always going to be a risk of sharp injuries. Thus, acupuncturists must be extremely attentive and careful when it comes to administering and disposing of needles.

With every treatment technique, there is always a risk factor attached to them. In the case of Western medicine, you can face a lot of side effects that could hamper your health forever. These medicines could also lead to numerous allergies, chemical reactions, and in rare cases, permanent damages.

In comparison to Western treatment, acupuncture is a much safer bet. Although, there are a few risks with this Chinese therapy too.

To name a few, they are - 

• Bleeding, bruising, and soreness may occur at the insertion sites.
• Unsterilized needles may lead to infection.
• In rare cases, a needle may break and damage an internal organ.

The whole process is less painful compared to getting a vaccine shot or drawing blood. Acupuncture needles are much thinner than medical needles. These needles are solid throughout the length compared to the clinical needles used. 

Conclusion

Acupuncture is a traditional complementary therapy that originated in China. It involves inserting tiny needles to stimulate specific parts of the body and its neural network. The needles used in the process may seem intimidating at first, but when you actually get the therapy, you are completely relaxed. It is meant to be soothing for the body and can help you relieve stress.

Studies show that acupuncture can help manage chronic pain, headaches, and migraine. In conclusion, Acupuncture is completely safe and can help your body to heal. 

Still not sure about it?

You can always visit Ayushyaa Clinic, and talk to Dr Pravin and Dr Pooja. They are the best Acupuncturists in the city and can help you understand the benefits of Acupuncture therapy even better.