6 lifestyle conditions an acupuncturist can help you with

Have you considered trying acupuncture to relieve your sore throat or to boost your sex life? Here's why you should.

By: Mansi Kohli | | Updated: July 11, 2017 4:32 pm

Embraced by a large number of alternative and holistic medicine practices, acupuncture is used to manually stimulate specific acupuncture points in order to treat acute and chronic pain, along with helping heal injuries. While there are still some who are sceptical of this complimentary practice, there are many who swear by its ongoing relief treatments and facts about this ancient Chinese healing techniques.

Typically spread over 6-12 weeks with weekly sessions, it’s often seen that acupunctures’ less common capabilities often go unnoticed as a solution to everyday health issues. Dr. Anjali Sharma, Consultant Acupuncture at Ethos Healthcare, New Delhi, India, helps us unearth six surprising lifestyle conditions you can benefit from acupuncture.

Slows the signs of ageing – Though ageing is a natural process, acupuncture can help by slowing down the process and reducing the manifestations of ageing. Cosmetic acupuncture combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with specialised facial acupuncture. Cosmetic acupuncture involves needling on the face to improve skin quality by improving blood flow and rejuvenation as it removes the blockages in the vital flow of energy. It also helps in reducing wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes, age spots and lifts droopy eyelids. Some common acupuncture points are GB 14, UB 1, UB 2, ST 1, ST 2, LI 20, ST 3, LI 19, DU 25, DU 26 and RN 24.
Soothes sore throat – A sore throat can be due to infection, allergy or irritants. In TCM, sore throats are caused by variety of factors including excess heat, wind or dryness. Acupuncture point combinations chosen for sore throats involve clearing heat and removing dryness from the lungs. Some important points for treating such conditions are LU 11, CV 12, CV 22, LI 17 and LI 18.
Helps in tackling pain when suffering from periods –Medically period pain is called as dysmenorrhea. It is further categorised as primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. About half the women suffer from pain while they begin to ovulate. Acupuncture point stimulation increases blood flow to uterus, which can relax muscles and also increase endorphin release in brain leading to pain relief. Acupuncture helps in balancing pituitary excess and body’s own energy to naturally play with hormones and rebalances system. Commonly used acupuncture treatment points for dysmenorrhea are LV 2, LV 3, CV 3, CV 6, GB 34, SP 6, SP 8, SP 10, and ST 36. Here’s what to expect when going for an acupuncture treatment

Boosts sex life –A healthy sex life needs good physical health, good mental health, good libido and freedom from sexual disorders. Acupuncture scores in all of these. It can improve physical and mental health thereby laying foundation of good sex life. By taking libido to healthy state acupuncture creates much needed desire. Finally, the most important aspect is sexual disorders. Acupuncture can help in treatment in disorders like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, vaginismus, aversion to sex, painful sex and others. Some commonly used points are UB 23, UB 47, ST 36, KI 3, KI 6, CV 4, CV 6, SP 12 and SP 13.
Relieves asthma symptoms –In TCM, asthma is considered not just a disorder of lungs but also of kidney and stomach. Hence treatment points for asthma are also located in kidney and stomach meridians. Asthma is one of the 40 diseases / disorders considered by WHO that may benefit from acupuncture. Studies have shown that at least 70% of the patients suffering from asthma reported relief after undergoing acupuncture treatment. Some commonly used acupuncture points are ST 12, ST 18, KI 22, SP 21, SP 17, CV 4, CV 6, CV 17, CV 22, UB 13, ST 36.
To deal with carpal tunnel syndrome – Carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in wrist made up of ligament and bones. Carpal tunnel syndrome is also known as median nerve entrapment, it occurs when there is swelling or irritation of nerves or tendons in carpal tunnel. This results in pressure on median nerve. Clinical manifestations are frequent burning, tingling or numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers especially the thumb, index and middle finger. Acupuncture is extremely effective in treating the carpal tunnel syndrome eliminating the need for surgery. Important points for treatment of CTS are LI 4, PC 6, PC 7

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Published : July 21, 2016 4:04 pm | Updated:July 11, 2017 4:32 pm

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