5 Interesting Ways Acupuncture Can Improve Your Health
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Acupuncture has been gaining popularity over the last few decades and has become the subject of many studies. According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which included a comprehensive survey on the use of complementary health approaches by Americans, an estimated 3.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year (triple the number of visits to acupuncturists from ten years earlier in 1997).
Acupuncture is used to treat a wide array of health conditions and disorders. In fact, The World Health Organization lists about 50 different conditions that acupuncture treats effectively. At Husami Integrative Acupuncture in Paradise Valley, near Scottsdale, our expert acupuncturist has experience in treating most of these conditions. Below are five interesting ways acupuncture can improve your health.
Fertility & Pregnancy Health
Many doctors are now recommending acupuncture as a complementary or stand-alone treatment to help reduce stress, balance hormones, and ease anxiety and pain associated with conception, pregnancy, and labor. At Husami Integrative Acupuncture we offer fertility acupuncture as a natural conception treatment and as a preventive measure against miscarriage. Learn more about the science behind fertility acupuncture, as well as a client testimonial here.
Reduce Appearance of Facial Wrinkles
Facial acupuncture as a cosmetic treatment is gaining popularity worldwide with many celebrities reported to receive cosmetic acupuncture treatments. The insertion of acupuncture needles strategically placed on the skin helps to stimulate collagen and skin cells to repair the “micro trauma” caused by the hair-thin needles.
A 2011 study on the effects of cosmetic acupuncture on facial elasticity at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong found significant improvement in participants’ facial elasticity after receiving five sessions over three weeks. Another 1996 review in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture found of 300 cases treated with Facial Acupuncture, 90% had marked effects with one course of treatment (12-20 sessions). Both studies found improvements in tone and elasticity and further research was recommended.
Relieve Back Pain
About 80% of the population will have low back pain at some point in their lives. A recent review of 22 acupuncture studies cited by WebMD showed acupuncture to provide short-term relief from chronic back pain. Some of these studies also found that acupuncture patients experienced a greater improvement in pain than those that received a “sham” acupuncture treatment. More doctors and chiropractors are recommending acupuncture as an alternative or complementary therapy, especially now that guidelines from the American Pain Society and American College of Physicians state that doctors should consider acupuncture when patients with chronic low-back pain have not been helped by conventional treatments.
Reduce Headaches & Migraines
Migraines are the third most prevalent illness in the world, affecting 38 million people of all ages in the USA alone. Studies show that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for migraine relief. A study of about 500 adults published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2012 found that acupuncture helps reduce days with migraines and may have lasting effects. In this study, patients were either treated with traditional acupuncture on acupuncture points previously used to study migraines, or had “sham” acupuncture during which needles were inserted into nonspecific points. Participants didn’t know which type of acupuncture treatments they were getting. The study found that all participants, including those who received “sham” acupuncture, reported fewer days with migraines than before the study started. You can learn more about this study and acupuncture for migraines here.
Help Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese can lead to serious health issues. Acupuncture is a natural treatment that can be used in combination with healthy eating and exercise to help maintain a healthy weight. WebMD cites an article published in Acupuncture for Medicine that reported obese patients who underwent a common five-point ear acupuncture protocol lost more weight than patients who received only one-point or sham acupuncture. An article published in Eating and Weight Disorders also reported that acupuncture was useful in treating patients’ mental health (which, in turn, led to weight loss). Learn more about acupuncture for weight loss here.
Acupuncture in Phoenix
Suzie Husami, licensed acupuncturist and owner of Husami Integrative Acupuncture in Paradise Valley, has helped many patients achieve optimal health and wellness through acupuncture. Suzie accepts insurance and will happily verify your insurance for you. She also offers affordable cash rates if you don’t have insurance. Please feel free to call or text Suzie to schedule an appointment in Phoenix, or to ask any questions you may have about acupuncture: (619) 302-7589.
