How Acupuncture Could Benefit Your Health

If you’ve been considering acupuncture, you may have heard some mixed messages. Some people will tell you it’s nothing but hocus pocus. Others will tell you it’s the absolute best solution to this, that and the other.

What’s the truth? Does getting poked with a dozen or more tiny, flexible needles really do anything valuable? What are the benefits of acupuncture? Licensed acupuncturist Tim Sobo, LAc, gives his pointed advice.

Potential benefits of acupuncture

The benefits of acupuncture have been increasingly demonstrated in rigorous scientific research published in peer-reviewed journals.

It’s considered an integrative medicine practice. That’s to say, in most cases, acupuncture can be used in combination with other therapies and treatment strategies recommended by your healthcare team, like medication, physical therapy, diet changes and more.

“It can be an important tool in the toolkit,” Sobo says.

Acupuncture has been used for centuries for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, from anxiety to whiplash and everything in between.

It’s rooted in principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that consider health conditions to stem from imbalances in stuck energy (qi) in our bodies. In Western medicine, acupuncture is seen less through a lens of moving energy and more in terms of increasing blood flow and regulating your nervous system and immune system.

But either way you think of it, acupuncture has stuck around through the years for one simple reason: It may help.

Pain management

Pain relief is perhaps the most touted benefit of acupuncture — with the scientific evidence to back it up.

“Acupuncture creates an immune system response,” Sobo explains. “When we insert the needles, you get more red and white blood cells going to that area where that needle is. The red blood cells bring in oxygen, nutrients and whatever else you need. And your white blood cells take away dead or damaged cells. That can allow your body to start to heal an injury.”

The American College of Physicians even recommends acupuncture as a potential first-line treatment for new and ongoing low back pain, along with practices like massage, yoga, tai chi and progressive relaxation.

For new aches and pains, like a sore back after shoveling snow, acupuncture could help speed up your recovery. For nagging, chronic pain, it may help remind your body that it still has work to do.

“We’re introducing new micro-traumas to the area to ‘trick’ your brain into believing that this pain you’re experiencing is new — not something you’ve had for years,” Sobo continues. “It’s a catalyst to tell your body to go look into it and try to fix it.”

Acupuncture may help relieve pain from things like:

• Muscle and joint injuries (think back, knee, shoulder or neck pain)
• Sports injuries
• Arthritis
• Migraines
• Menstrual cramps
• Fibromyalgia

Acupuncture is also recommended by the American Society of Clinical Oncology for relieving pain for people living with cancer. That includes pain associated with the cancer itself, as well as pain associated with procedures, medications and treatments. Some studies have also suggested that acupuncture may help relieve nausea and vomiting in people going through chemotherapy.

Keep in mind that the goal of acupuncture isn’t always to relieve every ache and pain. Rather, to decrease your pain so you can function better and get through your day.

“Our goal is to decrease the frequency at which you might need to take pain medication or an abortive migraine medication,” Sobo says. “If acupuncture can help to move you from a constant 8 on the pain chart to a 2 or 3, and you’re able to walk better or swim or do the things you enjoy, that’s a win.”

Women’s health concerns

Sorry, acupuncture isn’t going to cure morning sickness or stop menopause in its tracks. But some people turn to it to help with symptoms of these conditions and others:

• Menopause: Hot flashes and night sweats can be some of the most common and frustrating symptoms of menopause. Some women say that acupuncture makes them more manageable, though researchers suggest that they may be benefiting from a placebo effect.
• Pregnancy discomfort: Acupuncture is a medication-free therapy, and it hasn’t been shown to be risky during pregnancy. Some research suggests that acupuncture may reduce pregnancy-related aches and pains and that it may be beneficial for reducing nausea during pregnancy. But more studies are needed.
• Infertility: Sobo is quick to point out that acupuncture is not a treatment for infertility. But some women say acupuncture helped regulate their periods, thus improving their odds of getting pregnant. Research is mixed on whether acupuncture affects fertility.

Mental health effects

Acupuncture can be relaxing, if for no other reason than it gives you an opportunity to take a break from a busy day and lie on a table for a bit. Just the kind of self-care many of us could benefit from.

What’s more, Sobo says that acupuncture may help release more happy hormones in your brain, like serotonin and dopamine. That may help with troubles like:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia

Acupuncture risks

The risks of acupuncture itself are very low, Sobo notes. “Some people worry about things like needles piercing an organ, or getting an infection from the needles. But as long as you’re seeing a licensed provider, that’s not going to be a risk.”

But indirectly, there can be some risks to relying solely on acupuncture and ignoring other, highly proven therapies.

“Acupuncture isn’t a substitute for your cancer treatment or blood pressure medication or going to your doctor regularly,” Sobo reminds us.

And of course, not all insurance policies cover acupuncture, or only provide limited coverage. So, that can be a hit to your pocketbook.

If you’re considering acupuncture, talk with a healthcare provider. They can help you decide if it may benefit you and how it might fit into your overall treatment plan. They may also be able to help you find a qualified practitioner to give you the best chance at seeing results.