If someone were to tell you that you’d be able to get acupuncture right now, how would you feel? Would you be excited, or nervous? For many Americans, acupuncture seems like a terrifyingly painful experience – just the thought of a bunch of small needles poking your body is enough to make most people cringe. A popular practice in the Eastern world, the Western world is still learning to become more open to holistic treatment methods like acupuncture. Countries such as China have used acupuncture for preventative health measures for so many years – and the biggest difference between countries like China and countries like the United States, are all based on approach. Western practices consider medicine to be used as a cure or relief to certain issues or illnesses, while Easter tradition utilizes medicine as a means to practice health and wellbeing.
Despite much research that has shown the effectiveness of acupuncture, there are yet many Americans who are scared to try out this practice. The best way to move past the fear is to understand what common myths are, and to talk logically about them:
- Most people fear that the needles involved hurt. They may look intimidating in pictures, but acupuncture needles are extremely thin – in fact, they’re about as thin as a strand of your hair! Thankfully, more and more Americans throughout the nation are trying acupuncture as they’re realizing that it’s not as bad as it sounds.
- Acupuncture is an old way of doing things. Yes, acupuncture has been used for thousands of years – but it’s holistic, and it’s worked for so many people that it’s become quite embedded into today’s culture as well. Acupuncture is about restoring muscular function, easing stress and depressive symptoms and more – so it’s continued on because it’s worked.
- One session is enough. Just as you may need to visit the doctor or chiropractor several times in order to feel a real difference, it may take some time for you to recognize the difference in your mind, body, and spirit after seeking out an acupuncture session. The reality is that our mind and body need repeated exposure to treatment modalities so that it can begin taking on the effects more permanently.
Previous research has found that acupuncture is highly effective for patients who need treatment for chronic pain, particularly musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and osteoarthritis pain. Reports are showing that Americans are spending around $30 billion dollars each year on acupuncture and other holistic treatment practices, and it’s most likely due to the wonderful effects that they can have on a person.
Stress and anxiety go hand-in-hand, and the needles of acupuncture help to release this by unblocking Qi, also known as a person’s life force energy, from meridians, which are considered the pathways that the energy flows through. Injuries, stress, poor nutrition, and even changes in environment (such as transitioning from a life of addiction to one of recovery) can have major implications on a person’s life force energy and how it flows throughout the body; acupuncture restores the balance of Qi when needles are placed on specific points of the body. For those who have a hard time understanding Qi, metabolic energy is another way of looking at it.
Acupuncture has been shown to work very well for those in addiction recovery, who often experience mental health concerns that often negatively affect that mind, body, and spirit in several ways. For individuals who’ve battled with addiction and mental illness, acupuncture can greatly help reduce the stress associated with recovery. Acupuncture can assist with many other issues, however, such as:
- Allergies
- Depression
- Hypertension
- Lower back pain
- Morning sickness
- Neck pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sprains
- Stroke
- And more
Those who’ve tried acupuncture often say that while at first, they didn’t have much faith in the practice, they later discovered that it seamlessly worked for them – and even without full explanations, people can witness the release that’s associated with acupuncture methods.
Addiction recovery involves a lot of emotional ups and downs, and acupuncture could be a beautiful way to find healing and restoration amongst other aspects of treatment. The beauty of holistic practice is that you can use it alongside other treatment options that seem to work well within your addiction recovery treatment plan; we’re all different, and so it makes sense to have a personalized treatment program that suits your needs and interests. With acupuncture, a person’s mind, body, and spirit are greater aligned and this is one of the most healing effects.
If you’re ready to try acupuncture – and a variety of other therapeutic practices that can aid in your healing and restoration – don’t wait any longer to seek the help you need. Call Avalon Malibu today to speak with a professional who can help get you started – you won’t regret it.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at 844-857-5992 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you – it’s never too late to begin taking steps towards a happier, healthier life.
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