Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the body to relieve pain and restore health.

It has been around since ancient times when needles were made from slivers of animal bones, bamboo, and even pointed stones. But fear not! Modern acupuncture uses sterilized stainless steel that doesn’t come anywhere close to the sharpness of a needle used before.

So why do so many people swear by this ancient Chinese practice?

Below are eight health benefits of acupuncture that will make you feel excited about needles for the first time in your life.

 

1. It improves blood flow.

 

Research suggests acupuncture can significantly increase blood flow in the body, which is associated with optimal health and allows every organ in your body to function properly.

 

2. It helps relieve stress.

 

If you’re feeling under the weather, or just a little stressed out lately, acupuncture can help you feel mellow. A recent study reveals that verum acupuncture is superior in decreasing stress in participants with high-stress levels compared to the placebo group.

Acupuncture works in stress-related health issues by balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, which is usually disturbed in people with chronic stress.

 

3. It boosts your immunity.

 

Research reports acupuncture can help your body resist diseases by puncturing it at certain points. In addition, it can also enhance your anti-cancer immune function and induce an anti-inflammation effect in your body.

 

4. It could help you quit smoking.

 

Combined with counseling and psychoeducation, research reveals acupuncture is effective in aiding long-term smoking cessation. Basically, it plays an important role in suppressing addiction and reducing withdrawal symptoms.

 

5. It helps with acne and other skin issues.

 

A study from the Beijing Daxing Hospital reported acupuncture had 94.17% total treatment efficacy for patients with acne. Experts suggest acupuncture works for your skin problems by targeting toxic levels of heat and hormonal imbalances in the body.

 

6. It helps with postpartum depression.

 

A study demonstrated acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment for patients with postpartum depression disorder. Findings showed the mechanism might rely on its ability to regulate gut microbiota dysfunction, which plays a crucial role in psychiatric disorders.

 

7. It eases chronic pain.

 

Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers—which can also help reduce inflammation. As a result, it has been widely used for centuries in treating headaches and musculoskeletal pain.

 

8. It supports weight loss.

 

Acupuncture can help you shed those extra pounds by preventing slow digestion and improving your gut health. It can also help relieve gastrointestinal issues like constipation and bloating that may keep you sedentary or lead to fat deposition.

 

Takeaway

 

As you can tell already, acupuncture has a lot of potential health benefits to offer. However, there are some critical caveats to keep in mind: acupuncture is a useful tool for physical and mental health issues, but it’s not a magic cure-all. It often takes place alongside other therapies to treat certain ailments. And, of course, the most beneficial results typically come from following healthy lifestyle choices.

Focus on living a balanced life, eating healthy, and making time for exercise—the needles will take care of the rest!

Contact us today for high-quality, nutritious meals to add in your health game plan.