Acupuncture: What Is It?
Acupuncture is a treatment originating in ancient Chinese medicine dating back thousands of years. Within Chinese medicine, it is believed that there exists a type of energy or life force which is known as “qi” (pronounced “chee”). This life force flows through the meridians or energy pathways of the body. Each of these meridians corresponds to an organ or a group of organs, which control particular functions of the body. Getting the right flow of qi is believed to bring about good health and overall well-being.
Qi is responsible for maintaining the harmonious balance between yin and yang, two opposing yet complementary forces. In Chinese medicine, it's believed that everything in nature possesses both yin and yang qualities. When there's an imbalance in qi—whether it's excessive, deficient, or blocked—it can lead to illness. To rebalance the qi, an acupuncturist inserts needles at specific points along the meridians, energy pathways close to the skin's surface.
The History of Acupuncture
Acupuncture has quite a fascinating history! It dates all the way back to 200 BCE, making it one of the earliest recorded practices of its kind. The knowledge of acupuncture gradually made its way from China to the West, thanks to the trade routes traveled by Arab merchants.
In the United States, acupuncture caught people's attention in 1972 when President Nixon visited China. One of the folks who accompanied him was James Reston, a journalist from the New York Times. After having an emergency appendectomy, Reston received acupuncture in China and was amazed by how it relieved his post-operative pain. He was so impressed that he wrote about it upon returning to the United States.
It wasn't until 1997 that acupuncture gained even more recognition in the United States. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) officially acknowledged acupuncture as a legitimate option for healing, highlighting its safety and effectiveness for various health conditions. Despite its growing awareness, many traditional doctors are still not well-versed in the theory and practice of acupuncture.
If you delve into the wealth of clinical studies, you'll find a multitude of research conducted on the benefits of acupuncture. A significant number of these studies were carried out in China, where acupuncture has proven successful in treating a wide range of conditions. From tackling musculoskeletal problems like back pain and neck pain to addressing issues such as nausea, migraines, anxiety, insomnia, and pain management—acupuncture has shown promising results.
Acupuncture: How Does It Work?
The short answer is acupuncture works by activating a pathway between the endocrine system, which is responsible for releasing hormones, and the nervous system, which houses all of the nerves within our body.
The longer answer is that acupuncture stimulates the nerves within your body’s central nervous system which in turn causes the endocrine system to release hormones responsible for causing us to feel less pain, simultaneously improving our overall health.
The fact is, a study was conducted using brain image scans. The study concluded that acupuncture actually increases our overall pain threshold, which helps explain why it gives us long-term pain relief. Studies have also shown that acupuncture may increase body temperature and blood circulation, reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, affect the activity of white blood cells (important for our immune system), and help regulate blood sugar levels.
What Does Acupuncture Help Treat
Acupuncture is amazing in relieving pain and tackling pesky nausea or vomiting after surgery or chemotherapy. It's not just some random claim either—the World Health Organization (WHO) and the NIH give acupuncture a nod of approval as a valuable part of treatment plans for various illnesses. The list of conditions it can help with is quite extensive! We're talking about addiction (such as alcoholism), asthma, bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, gastrointestinal problems like constipation, IBS and diarrhea, facial tics or other muscle spasms, fibromyalgia pain and symptoms, headaches or migraines, irregular menstrual cycles and menstrual period cramps, symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome, annoying back pain, menopausal symptoms, arthritic pain, sinusitis, stroke rehabilitation, tendinitis, tennis or golfers elbow, and even urinary issues such as incontinence.
Even more amazing is the fact that acupuncture plays well with others! You can safely combine it with natural supplements, otc medication, prescription drugs, and other Western medicine treatments. Just make sure your primary care physician keeps an eye on how acupuncture might be interacting with your ongoing therapies.
The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture has its own extensive list of conditions that can benefit from acupuncture. In addition to the ones mentioned earlier, they recommend acupuncture for everything from sports injuries and accidents such as sprains, strains, neck pain, whiplash, nerve pain caused by spinal disc compression, sciatica pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other repetitive use injuries, spinal cord injury pain, high blood pressure, allergies (both seasonal and food) asthma, allergic rhinitis, and even eczema. It also has been shown to help those who suffer from tinnitus (that annoying ringing in the ears), pharyngitis (a sore throat), gastroesophageal reflux (like heartburn or unsettling indigestion), stomach ulcers, chronic and painful recurring bladder and kidney infections, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), infertility, endometriosis, anorexia, memory problems, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, sensory disturbances, drug detox, anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. It’s pretty amazing that this ancient Chinese medicine practice helps with so many things, isn’t it?
Acupuncture has got your back—literally and figuratively.
All About Dr. Kystal Kinnunen, DOAM, L. AC
As a Licensed Acupuncturist, Dr. Kinnunen has been utilizing the ancient practice of acupuncture for over 12 years to help many people with many different aches, pains, and other ailments. She was certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Traditional Oriental Medicine, with a clinical focus on treating women’s health issues, chronic pain, and digestive health issues. She also specializes in the treatment of infertility, pregnancy symptoms, and postpartum care. Dozens of client testimonials praise her as they share their stories about how Dr. Kinnunen helped improve their lives!
Through Asheville Integrative Acupuncture, Dr. Krystal Kinnunen can help you, too, just like the countless others who have walked through her doors before you. Call (or text) 828-739-0345 or Click Here to schedule your appointment today and get started on your path to overall health and wellness.