I saw my acupuncturist yesterday afternoon, and it made my day. Ahh, acupuncture. My acupuncturist, Frank, has treated me for nearly 6 years. People always ask me why I go to an acupuncturist. I started seeing Frank due to anxiety and related sleeping issues. He helped me so much during that difficult time period, so I have continued to see him regularly. He has treated me for many maladies, ranging from pregnancy discomforts to back pain to gastrointestinal distress. I find that regular sessions help me to stay balanced in my body and calm my mind. Plus, I consider Frank a health and wellness expert who knows all of the quirks of my body and is able to offer truly helpful advice. He is the only bodyworker that I visit on a regular basis.
What exactly is acupuncture? It is a type of ancient Chinese medicine that involves needles being inserted into the skin on various points of the body. For someone who has never had it, I can understand the fear of needles, as the needles do fully penetrate the skin. People often ask me if it hurts, and other than the quick, initial prick of the needle going into my skin, I really don’t feel anything. The benefits far outweigh the brief discomfort. By now, I am pretty sure that Frank has needled most of my points, and I have never had pain.
The theory behind acupuncture is that energy (called “qi”) flows through the body along meridians, or pathways. If this energy is blocked or unbalanced along the meridian, it results in illness. Inserting needles along the blocked meridian point is thought to restore balance in the body and unblock the point. Studies have shown that acupuncture can be helpful in treating pain, nausea, headaches, infertility, insomnia and various other ailments.
Acupuncture has literally been used for thousands of years. Most experts would agree that many people find therapeutic benefits to this practice even if it cannot be fully explained by science. In recent years, Western medicine has been more accepting of acupuncture as a method of treatment for various ailments. In my own experience, there is no doubt that it has helped me maintain better health in the last 6 years. I love that acupuncture promotes the idea that within our bodies, we have the tools to better health and simply need assistance to find balance.
If you are struggling with a physical or emotional medical condition, I would encourage seeking out a licensed acupuncturist as a compliment to any existing medical treatment. Try to get a referral if possible. Some insurance companies (not mine) will cover the cost of treatments. For anyone in the NY area who wants to visit Frank, feel free to contact me and I will gladly pass along his information.
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