Many people in Singapore often regard Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an alternative to treat common ailments, with acupuncture being one of the most popular TCM treatment methods. This ancient Chinese medical procedure aims to restore the flow of energy, also known as Qi, throughout your entire body to aid in not just treating diseases, but also relieving pain.
Hence, if you are suffering from bodily pains and wish to relieve the symptoms through an all-natural approach, keep reading to find out more about how acupuncture can help to relieve your chronic pain.
What is acupuncture?
First and foremost, it’s essential to understand what acupuncture is before exploring its benefits, especially if you’re new to the practice.
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice with over 2,000 years of history, involves the application of needles, heat, and pressure to specific acupoints on the body. Stimulating these acupoints releases endorphins, which help remove blockages and restore balance, offering natural pain relief.
How is acupuncture done?
Acupuncture involves inserting hair-thin needles at specific acupoints to produce a sensation of pressure or ache which some may find relaxing. If you experience any discomfort during the session, let your physician know. In addition the needles, mild heat or electric current may be applied to boost healing.
Which parts of the body can acupuncture be done on?
You might be surprised to learn that acupuncture can be performed on various parts of the body, including your face (facial acupuncture), ears (auricular acupuncture), abdomen, and four limbs.
The benefits of acupuncture vary depending on the area treated. For instance, facial acupuncture can brighten the complexion and reduce acne by increasing blood flow and improving lymphatic drainage. Auricular acupuncture can help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as address health concerns, such as chronic pain and migraines. Acupuncture on the abdomen and limbs can manage digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and pain disorders.
What kind of chronic pain does acupuncture relieve?
Acupuncture can relieve chronic pain by improving the flow of Blood and Qi in the body. Chronic pain is caused by the impediment of Blood and Qi. Therefore, consider acupuncture for the management of lower back pain, neck pain, knee pain, post-operative pain, menstrual cramps, headaches or migraines.
As treatments are tailored to one’s body constitution, we recommend consulting a physician at a TCM clinic in Singapore to determine if acupuncture would benefit your specific condition.
What should you avoid after an acupuncture session?
Patients are advised to:
- Wait for 2 hours after treatment before showering.
- Allow your body to rest and avoid strenuous activities after a session.
- Refrain from drinking cold beverages as they will increase the ‘dampness’ in your body, impeding the effects of acupuncture.
- Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided as they can cause dehydration.
What can you expect after acupuncture?
Most people notice an improvement in their symptoms after one session, but this varies based on each individual’s condition. Regular treatments are often necessary for long-lasting results. If you do not see improvements after a few weeks, speak to your TCM physician. Your TCM physician may prescribe a more holistic approach, such as pairing acupuncture with Chinese herbal medications, to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.
Acupuncture at Thomson Chinese Medicine
Here at Thomson Chinese Medicine, we aim to help you regain your quality of life through effective TCM treatment modalities. Our acupuncture treatments are tailored to each individual’s health concern to achieve optimum results. Contact us to learn more.