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ACUPUNCTURE FOR
CHRONIC PAIN?
Here’s What You
Need to Know

ACUPUNCTURE FOR
CHRONIC PAIN?
Here’s What You
Need to Know

*The material provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not replace a consultation with a doctor. Every case is unique and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Consult with a doctor to receive personalized advice.

Routine gives us structure, but sometimes it can limit us. That is the case for many patients who had been dealing with internalized pain as part of their daily lives before they started receiving treatment. However, after trying acupuncture, these patients felt less discomfort, had more energy, and experienced a better quality of life.

Chinese medicine teaches us that balance is not associated with the fragility of old age but with the ability to find relief. We help energy flow smoothly, reduce pain, and improve well-being with acupuncture. If you are looking for a natural and effective way to manage pain, this blog is for you:

Why Is Everyone Talking
About Acupuncture?

Chinese medicine views individuals as part of a whole and does not separate them into individual disciplines. The goal is to prevent the development of serious and chronic diseases. This is where acupuncture comes in. This important Chinese healing method is recommended by doctors, specialists, and institutions, such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

Why Is Everyone Talking
About Acupuncture?

Chinese medicine views individuals as part of a whole and does not separate them into individual disciplines. The goal is to prevent the development of serious and chronic diseases. This is where acupuncture comes in. This important Chinese healing method is recommended by doctors, specialists, and institutions, such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

How Does Acupuncture Actually Work?

Depending on the symptoms you are experiencing, your first acupuncture session determines which points on the body will be treated. Fine, disposable, sterilized needles are inserted into these points and remain in the skin for about 20 minutes. Depending on the body area being treated, the punctures may go just a few millimeters or several centimeters deep. Patients often experience a sensation of pressure, heaviness, a slight tugging, or tingling at the injection site.

THE TRADITIONAL VIEW:
What Ancient Wisdom Says

In Eastern beliefs, the energy has to flow in the body’s energy channels, also known as “meridians”, for the body to function properly and not be subject to sickness, tension, or pain. These energy pathways host acupuncture points, and the needles are supposed to restore the energy flow to normal.

THE MODERN TAKE:
Science Is Catching Up

Scientific foundations, like The Journal of Pain, focus on the physiological and neurological processes that respond to the insertion of needles at very specific points, stimulating the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, which help modulate the immune system and regulate the autonomic nervous system (Vickers et al., 2018).

Can Acupuncture Help the Elderly with Pain? Let’s Break It Down

Acupuncture has been proven to significantly relieve chronic conditions in many studies, improving patients’ quality of life.

Evidence for acupuncture as an effective treatment for chronic pain is so strong that, in its 2021 guidelines, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellencerecommended acupuncture as one of four evidence-based therapies for managing primary chronic pain.

Acupuncture has also been effectively used to treat acute pain, such as post-surgical and dental pain. The practice can facilitate recovery by reducing the intensity of pain alongside or in lieu of medication.

Chronic Back Pain: Real Results or Hype?

According to The Nuprin Pain Report, back pain is one of the most common health complaints in America, with over 50% of all adults reporting back pain every year and between 70-80% experiencing this form of pain at some point in their lifetime.

Back pain is the most expensive health condition among working-age adults, with an estimated $26 billion being spent annually on direct personal health care expenses in the U.S. alone. Although treatments for back conditions range from conventional to complementary, most people with back problems have found complementary and alternative care to be superior to traditional care for back pain.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Ammendolia, acupuncture has proved particularly effective in treating chronic back pain. It is a non-invasive and safe modality of treatment; hence, the approach is very attractive for those who want to reduce their medication dependence or avoid surgical interventions altogether.

Joint Pain Relief (Yes, Including Knee Pain)

Some pains wake you up in the middle of the night or nag at you all day. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, evidence from various studies suggests that acupuncture can help with knee pain caused by osteoarthritis and surgery.

Although this method cannot replace first aid for acute injuries or surgical interventions to restore the structure of the knee, a doctor may prescribe it as a complementary therapy to treat select conditions.

Post-operative acupuncture has picked up quite significantly in recent times, as it reduces pain and narcotic consumption.

Other Benefits of Acupuncture
for Older Adults

To make the case that acupuncture does work, neurochemist and Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Helene Langevin, who is also director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, co-authored an article with neurologist Dr. Carolyn A. Bernstein, who specializes in headache pain.

The study concluded that acupuncture works for the treatment of back pain, headaches, and osteoarthritis. Its effects are comparable to some of the most commonly used non-opioid pain relievers.

In addition, acupuncture has the added advantage of having little to no side effects when performed by a well-trained professional.

It has also been shown to reduce blood pressure and sustainably improve brain function while helping resolve emotional and mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Should You Add Acupuncture to Your Pain Management Plan?

Acupuncture can be a good option within a pain management program. While it does not replace conventional treatments, scientific evidence and international organizations support acupuncture’s role as a complementary form of therapy.

Facts to Consider:

Professional Advice: Before considering acupuncture, it’s important to consult with your treating physician, who should recommend the procedure. They understand your medical history and can evaluate how acupuncture might fit into your overall treatment plan.

Specific Conditions: It’s essential to remember that each body is unique. What works for some individuals may not have the same effect on others. The key is to have realistic expectations and to be open about exploring this approach as part of a broader pain management strategy.

Expected Results: Acupuncture is not a quick fix, but is instead a supportive form of treatment that helps the body heal. It requires time and consistency to be most effective.

The Bottom Line: Is Acupuncture Right for You?

Acupuncture is an effective instrument that is scientifically recognized in treating chronic pain, improving the general state of the body, and treating health issues in a manner that is complementary to the actual treatment being provided.

An integrative approach is best for your health, and acupuncture is an excellent tool for helping you feel better. Whether you have been looking for a different and effective solution against pain or want to try something new, this can be the perfect time to give acupuncture a chance.

Hope you find this information useful and stay tuned for more information about your health care and tips to enhance your quality of life.

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*The material provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not replace a consultation with a doctor. Every case is unique and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Consult with a doctor to receive personalized advice.

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