Acupuncture is possibly the longest-standing medical therapy known to humankind, and it’s still going strong today. With hundreds of academic studies on the technique’s efficacy and countless patients singing its praises, acupuncture has earned a legitimate place in modern medicine.
But needles for healing?
We understand if the concept seems strange at first, and we love introducing new patients to the art, science, and tradition of acupuncture to dispel fear and skepticism. Our experienced licensed acupuncturists at Earthy Ruby in Cupertino, California, offer acupuncture treatments for a wide range of issues, and some might surprise you. Even people unfamiliar with acupuncture may know it can ease aches and pains, but here’s a list of five unexpected benefits of acupuncture.
1. The best sleep of your life
When you sleep, your body repairs and renews itself at the cellular level. If you don’t sleep well or long enough, every system in your body suffers, from digestion to hormone production and immunity to cardiovascular.
Whether your sleep quality suffers from a packed schedule, an overactive mind, or chronic pain, acupuncture can help. The slender needles stimulate your production of melatonin, the hormone that helps you go to sleep and stay asleep and regulates your sleep cycles.
2. Puts you in a better mood
What tanks your mood? Are you constantly stressed and anxious? Does your mood dip into depression? Acupuncture can be the antidote to these mood disorders.
Our specialists use acupuncture to promote the release of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins — known as the “feel good” hormones. These are your body’s natural painkillers and mood boosters.
3. Gets rid of acne
Acne is your skin’s response to blocked pores and hair follicles. As dirt and oil clog your skin’s breathing holes, infection builds up below, and you experience breakouts.
Acupuncture fights acne on a few fronts by:
- Flushing out impurities
- Stimulating your endocrine system to address hormonal acne
- Triggering collagen production to minimize acne scarring
Acupuncture also comes with the added benefit of being medication-free, so you can treat your acne without applying chemicals to your skin or taking oral medications.
4. Accelerates healing
When you twist your ankle, slip a disc, or undergo surgery, you can expect to be laid up for a while as your body heals. Even with over-the-counter pain relievers and the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), you could still be out of commission for a few weeks.
Fortunately, acupuncture can shorten your downtime.
One of acupuncture’s most valuable qualities is its ability to increase circulation; better circulation equals reduced inflammation. Acupuncture flushes out the excess fluid and promotes healing.
Acupuncture also boosts injury recovery by nourishing your tissues and speeding up the healing process. For example, if you sprain your ankle, the trauma causes bleeding around your torn ligament. Eventually, you see a bruise appear — that’s trapped, coagulated blood. Acupuncture triggers fresh blood flow that ushers out the old and brings in the new.
5. Helps you lose weight
Losing weight is a complex endeavor that goes way beyond the simple equation of calories in vs. calories out. Many variables thwart your weight loss efforts, but acupuncture can help you break through the barriers by:
- Reducing inflammation in your muscles, gut, and other tissues
- Curbing your appetite
- Improving your digestion
- Discouraging water retention by stimulating the nerves in your kidneys
- Triggering beneficial hormone production
- Increasing your metabolic rate and fat-burning capabilities
Our team knows the most effective acupuncture points to maximize your weight loss efforts, including your ears.
More acupuncture benefits
This blog presented five of acupuncture’s many, many benefits. To discover more about this time-honored traditional Chinese medicine system, book an appointment at Earthy Ruby online or call us, and find out what acupuncture can do for you.