When is the Right Time to Start Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is more accessible than ever. Some people use it as part of their self-care or wellness regimen, but acupuncture is also a medical treatment that can provide relief from a whole host of symptoms and health conditions. A question people frequently have is about when to start. Should you have tried other things first? Do you need a referral from your doctor? Does it interfere with other therapies or medications? This article will answer these questions, as well as go over many of the common reasons people seek out acupuncture treatment. 

Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that uses very thin needles inserted into your skin to stimulate and regulate the flow of your vital energy or Qi (pronounced “chee”). Imbalance and stagnation of Qi manifest in the physical symptoms of illness and disease. These dysregulations of energy can be treated through applied stimulation of acupoints along natural pathways in your body called meridians. 

What can acupuncture treat? 

Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that aims not to simply treat symptoms, but to improve whole-body health and wellness. Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches the body as a series of interconnected systems that work in concert to promote wellness and harmony, both physically and spiritually. As this approach focuses on supporting your body’s natural healing processes, there’s very little that can’t be treated, remedied, or prevented with regular acupuncture treatments. 

When it comes down to it, there is no “right” or “wrong” time to start acupuncture. In fact, acupuncture is best used as preventative medicine. Accessing acupuncture doesn’t require a referral from a medical professional. As long as you can find an acupuncturist near you who is accepting new clients, you can start the treatment at your convenience. Acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment that doesn’t involve taking any medication, and it doesn’t interfere with any medications you’re taking. 

Do you have to have a medical condition to get acupuncture? 

Acupuncture is a great complimentary therapy for many medical conditions, but it’s not exclusively for treating health conditions. Acupuncture has two primary functions; to restore health and to maintain health. That means anyone who gets acupuncture will benefit from it, not just those with chronic conditions. Receiving acupuncture treatment increases your overall sense of wellbeing and relaxation. 

You don’t need a reason to seek out acupuncture beyond curiosity, but many people have specific health and wellness goals they’d like to achieve through the treatment. The following are some of the most common reasons people undergo acupuncture treatment: 

Fertility support 

As a complementary therapy while undergoing fertility treatments, acupuncture comes highly recommended. While it’s not a magic remedy for primary and secondary infertility, both the stress reliving properties and the improved blood flow to our reproductive organs are believed to improve outcomes for patients with infertility. 

Pain relief and management 

Acupuncture is great for reducing inflammation, as well as relaxing muscles and tendons. This, in addition to stimulating the release of pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins and corticosteroids, provides long-lasting relief of chronic and acute pain, reducing the need for over the counter and prescription pain medication. 

To treat a chronic health condition 

Acupuncture can reduce and relieve a variety of symptoms. Whether you struggle with your mental health, have chronic pain, or deal with other health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease, acupuncture can greatly improve your ability to manage your chronic health condition, which will improve your quality of life. 

To reduce stress 

Chronic stress can increase the risk of many health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, heart disease, or type two diabetes. Finding ways to reduce and manage your stress will improve your overall health. Acupuncture is a very relaxing treatment and will greatly reduce cortisol levels in your bloodstream. 

To support overall health and wellness 

As we’ve already touched on, acupuncture treatment greatly increases your feelings over overall health and wellness. This leads to having a more positive outlook on life and can generally improve and support your mental health. Feeling good in your body will also increase your quality of life. 

To improve sleep quality 

For many, getting a good night’s sleep consistently is a struggle. Whether it’s insomnia, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, or night sweats, acupuncture can help sort out your sleep irregularity to help you feel rested and energized every morning.  

To relieve seasonal allergies 

Seasonal allergies may feel unavoidable, but acupuncture can help to both relieve symptoms and reduce your reactivity to allergens. Additionally, undergoing acupuncture treatment while receiving other allergy therapies like allergy shots or antihistamine medication will improve the efficacy of both. 

As a cosmetic treatment 

Mei Zen is a form of acupuncture that focuses on revitalizing your face and skin without the need for surgery or caustic chemicals. It is a non-invasive treatment that reduces fine lines and age spots, smooths complexions, and tightens aging skin. Not only will Mei Zen give you a more radiant outward appearance, but it also balances your overall Qi – thereby improving your general wellbeing. 

If you have any chronic health conditions, it’s always a good idea to discuss any complementary therapies you are considering with your doctor or other medical professionals following your case. That said, acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment that doesn’t interfere with medications or other therapies you’ve been prescribed. Additionally, you don’t need to get a referral to receive acupuncture treatment.  

It should be noted that acupuncturists often recommend specific medicinal herbs to take between appointments to boost the effectiveness of your treatments. These herbs may interact with or reduce the efficacy of your prescription medications. It is very important that you consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of the herbs to ensure that they are safe for you. 

There are countless benefits to receiving acupuncture treatment. If you’ve been waiting for the sign to start acupuncture, this is it. Book your appointment with Maisy today!