Discover the benefits of acupuncture
While many people still rely on mainstream doctors to help them with illnesses, others are seeking alternative forms of treatment. One form of this that has become very popular in recent years is acupuncture. It can be used to treat a range of diseases and conditions, and many people swear by its results. It is one of many naturopathic treatments rooted in the theory that the body is a self-regulating machine that has the ability to heal itself. Naturopathy turns away from medication and surgery and instead uses natural remedies...

Discover the benefits of acupuncture
While many people still rely on mainstream doctors to help them with illnesses, others are seeking alternative forms of treatment. One form of this that has become very popular in recent years is acupuncture. It can be used to treat a range of diseases and conditions, and many people swear by its results.
It is one of many naturopathic treatments rooted in the theory that the body is a self-regulating machine that has the ability to heal itself. Naturopathy moves away from medication and surgery and instead uses natural remedies and holistic approaches to treat illnesses and conditions. This idea has become another option for those who are not getting results from Western medicine or find that they have many side effects.
Acupuncture differs from conventional medicine in many ways, most notably in the way it diagnoses disease. In the Western world, we are used to doctors focusing on the symptoms we describe and making a diagnosis from that.
However, this form of treatment focuses on the person as a whole. It not only treats the body but also the mind. This is because the two are believed to be inextricably linked and if one is out of balance, so will the other. An acupuncture course is then built around the person. This can mean that two people who received the same diagnosis from a regular doctor may receive different treatments from an acupuncturist.
This form of treatment is based on the idea that the body experiences pain or illness when its life energy, known as Qi, cannot flow freely. This can have several reasons. The most common of these are emotional and physical stress, injuries, infections and poor nutrition. The treatment involves inserting very fine needles into the body at specific points to restore balance to the body and allow Qi to flow freely again.
Acupuncture is popular among people with chronic pain and is known to be very effective. One of the positive aspects of this type of treatment is that, unlike Western medicine, there are practically no side effects. However, patients should be aware that symptoms sometimes increase briefly while the body regains its natural balance.
You can have a one-time acupuncture session or a course of it. It is common that you will need more than one treatment to notice long-lasting effects. However, it is common to notice a difference after just one session.
Costs can vary quite a bit, so it's worth shopping around rather than just going to the first one you can find. Most will give you some time, free of charge, to discuss your symptoms and explain what they can offer you and at what price. It would be a good idea to get a recommendation from someone who is already receiving this type of treatment, but most importantly, make sure whoever you see is a fully registered and licensed doctor.