Acupuncture can be an effective way to deal with a variety of conditions. Some of the most common benefits are listed below:
Reduces frequency of migraine headaches
The Mayo Clinic offers a free newsletter with expert advice for treating health problems. They have also conducted studies testing new migraine treatments, interventions, and tests. It is a good idea to keep a headache diary so you can identify triggers and track treatment effectiveness. A headache diary can also help you find the earliest sign of a migraine and pinpoint the right treatment. Keeping track of your migraine frequency can help you determine which type of treatment will be most beneficial to you.
Several studies suggest that acupuncture can help prevent or treat migraine headaches. It can also relieve stress and anxiety, which are known triggers of migraine attacks. Researchers believe that the dilation of blood vessels in the brain is a significant factor in the pain associated with migraine. Acupuncture practitioners use thin needles to stimulate the flow of blood to specific areas of the body. However, this may temporarily worsen migraine symptoms.
Reduces stiffness
The present study assessed the effectiveness of acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee using a network meta-analysis. To do this, we used the GEMTC package of the R 3.4.1 statistical software. We chose the random effects model to present continuous outcomes. The WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index) score and the pain visual analogue scale were used for this purpose. To identify the inconsistency, we used the node-splitting method.
Inconsistency between the different types of acupuncture was found for the reduction of stiffness, but the overall effect was similar. In general, four weeks of acupuncture treatment improved stiffness and fatigue. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture for stiffness. Nonetheless, this study suggests that the benefits of acupuncture treatment outweigh the risks of side effects. Therefore, acupuncture is a great option for treating chronic stiffness.
Reduces swelling
In addition to the traditional manual acupuncture technique, electroacupuncture has shown significant anti-inflammatory effects. It has the advantage of allowing acupuncturists to control the intensity of stimulation by using thin electrodes. The study also pointed to neurotransmitters’ role in inflammation regulation. It focused on chromaffin cells in the adrenal glands and noradrenergic neurons of the peripheral nervous system. These two areas contain abundant nerve fibers.
Acupuncture also relieves nausea and vomiting, two common side effects of chronic pain. In fact, acupuncture is highly recommended for those suffering from morning sickness or chemotherapy. It also helps reduce muscle tension and other physical manifestations of stress. Acupuncture is also effective in treating tension headaches, muscle tightness, and back spasms, among others. Many patients also report that acupuncture helps them sleep better.
Reduces cognitive decline
Acupuncture has a wide range of long-term benefits, including reducing cognitive decline. It has been shown to influence neuronal function, regulate glucose metabolism, and inhibit toxic protein accumulation in the brain. Its benefits may even be greater than that of drug therapy alone. This treatment is safe and has few contraindications. Acupuncture can be a very effective treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The study design will involve two groups: one receiving acupuncture, and one receiving sham acupuncture. Each group will receive nine sessions of manual acupuncture, as well as a sham treatment. The sample size will be determined using stratified block randomization. The average of each participant’s scores will be used to calculate composite scores, which will be compared between acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups. The researchers will also estimate the dropout rate.
Reduces pain
Acupuncture has numerous benefits for pain management, including reducing pain and increasing range of motion. It can also help heal soft tissue and resolve inflammation common to chronic pain. In contrast, acute pain is relatively recent and may be related to injury or overuse. Acupuncture helps reduce pain by releasing endorphins and enkephalins, which act as natural painkillers.
One study examined the long-term impact of acupuncture on chronic pain. Participants reported experiencing relief from lower back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and migraines. It found that 90 percent of acupuncture treatments were effective. Some of these benefits remained after 12 months. This suggests that acupuncture causes underlying changes that provide pain relief that lasts. Although further research is needed to confirm these findings, acupuncture is a reasonable treatment option for people with chronic pain.
