What Acupuncture Treats
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is often effective with a wide range of complaints, including headaches, chronic fatigue, depression, back pain, infertility, joint pain, insomnia, addictions, and stress. Acupuncture is also helpful for many chronic illnesses and health concerns that have no clear origin or cause.
In a recent survey of acupuncture patients, they reported their experience this way:
- Being sick less often and recovering more quickly
- Improvement of vitality and stamina
- Being able to take care of their own health
- Relationships with others deepening and becoming more harmonious
- Reductions in long term health care costs
These patients were committed to a healthy lifestyle and received ongoing treatment for maintenance and health promotion. Claire Cassidy, PhD, also noted in this study that these individuals also saw their physicians less frequently and used fewer medications; a significant number were able to avoid recommended surgeries.
Conditions Treated by Acupuncture
Chinese medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine known to mankind. It is likely that more people have been treated with this ancient practice throughout history than by any other formalized system of medicine. Since it has been used as the primary form of care for about a quarter of the world's population for thousands of years, it has evolved to address a vast array of concerns.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the ability of acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine to treat over 43 common disorders.
Here are some common symptoms treated with Chinese medicine:
Respiratory
frequent colds, allergies, bronchitis, asthma
Neuromuscular/Pain
neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, sciatica, tendonitis, dizziness, headaches, migraines
Mental Health
stress, depression, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, smoking cessation
Gastrointestinal
chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastritis, food allergies, IBS, intestinal weakness
Women's Health
irregular, heavy, painful menstruation, PCOS, menopause, PMS, infertility, low libido
Circulation
hypertension, angina, arteriosclerosis, anemia
Urogenital
stress incontinence, urinary tract infections, and sexual dysfunction.
Addictions
alcohol, nicotine, drugs
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
sinusitis, tinnitus
Note: Acupuncture is often effective therapy for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders which have no clear explanation or origin.