Acupuncture, a treatment for mental health disorders, pain, inflammatory conditions, stress, and skin appearance, may release endorphins and influence the autonomic nervous system but may cause side effects.
FREMONT, CA: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice used for thousands of years to promote physical and emotional well-being, manage pain, and relieve stress. It treats obstructions in the body's life energy flow, known as Qi.
Acupuncture originated in China around 3,000 years ago and has been used for various conditions ever since. The first known description of acupuncture dates back to 100 B.C.E. Over time, the practice has evolved; today, there are around 2,000 acupuncture points connected to particular meridians and energy pathways.
Acupuncture is a popular complementary therapy for chronic pain, infertility, anxiety, and depression. It involves needles but is generally safe when performed by a licensed practitioner.
Acupuncture Benefits
Research on the effectiveness of acupuncture is mixed, with some studies showing its efficacy and others showing it is no better than placebo treatments. Many studies are small or poorly designed. Acupuncture has been used to treat various conditions, including anxiety, arthritis, long-term pain, depression, insomnia, migraines, nausea, sinus congestion, stress, infertility, addiction, and skin appearance. Some studies support acupuncture for treating symptoms associated with the autonomic nervous system, such as pain, mental health conditions, gastrointestinal problems, and sleep disorders.
Acupuncture is often combined with other therapies to treat various types of pain, including chronic lower back pain, shoulder pain, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain, and neck pain. It has also been studied for its effectiveness in treating other chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety.
