People have been developing an increased interest in the use of alternative treatment options to overcome their health issues. One such treatment gaining popularity is acupuncture. It has proven fundamental in patients with chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, fertility concerns, and chronic stress. It can be used in conjunction with allopathic treatment to combat various health concerns. But before making a decision, it is crucial to weigh all its potential advantages and disadvantages.
Here are some important factors that are helpful in arriving at a decision.
Advantages
Pain relief
Acupuncture has been proven to improve multiple health concerns, while its impact on certain others, like skin issues, still requires more research. The practice has proven to relieve signs and symptoms of digestive distress, migraines, nausea, and hormonal concerns. Studies show that the use of acupuncture as a treatment option can provide significant relief if not completely resolve the problem. It is also effective in cases of chronic pain and chronic illnesses that are often a result of inflammation.
Energy boost
The ability of acupuncture to provide relief from pain and stress can often result in the patient feeling relaxed and more active. It provides an energy boost even after just the first session of the treatment plan. Studies have relieved that acupuncture leads to increased secretion of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. The increased levels of these compounds can cause stabilization of mood, increased sense of happiness, and feelings of wellbeing.
Natural treatment
Acupuncture is a therapeutic process, and it does not make use of any chemical compounds or medications in the process. It is also one of the reasons why it comes with few side effects. The natural treatment method is used to deal with health concerns by bringing balance to the imbalanced energy in the body. Professional acupuncturists use fully sterilized needles eliminating the risk of infections. The practice is safer in the country, as practitioners are required to use sterilized disposable needles, and each patient gets treated with a new set of needles.
Combined with existing treatment
Unlike other alternative treatment options, acupuncture can be practiced and incorporated along with existing treatment plans. This allows the patients to keep up with their medications, treatment plan, and physician’s advice while simultaneously receiving acupuncture treatment. The combined effort can also be relied upon to bring greater relief.
Requires professionals
To practice as a trained acupuncturist, individuals require about 3 to 4 years of studying and practical training. Additionally, they need to pass a national exam to be qualified to practice. This procedure is in place to ensure that the patients receive the best quality of treatment while also minimizing the risk of improperly executed procedures.
Disadvantages
Possible infections
Needles are a basic requirement for this alternative treatment method. Since they are often used, it is important to sterilize them. Failure to do so can put the patients at an increased risk of developing infections. This can cause pain and inflammation and even prove to be life-threatening. To ensure their own safety, patients can ask their acupuncturist to witness the needles being taken from sealed packages or be present during the sanitization process of the same.
Behavioral changes
After visiting an acupuncturist, patients can expect to experience some behavioral changes in their routine. Albeit temporary, these are noticeable changes and can disrupt one’s routine. Some experience increased appetite after receiving treatment. Increased sleep is another change the patients can expect. However, the one change patients seem to have the most difficult time adjusting to is the change in their bathroom habits. These changes are temporary and resolve themselves. In case these changes are persistent even after weeks, patients need to discuss them with the practitioner.
Time-consuming
Acupuncture is said to provide significant relief from pain right after the first session. However, that might not always be the case, especially when the patients have chronic illnesses and their pain has lasted more than a few years. It is safe to wait for a couple of months or more in such cases to experience lasting effects. During this time, the patient will be required to visit the acupuncturist at least once a week, sometimes more. The proper number of sessions can vary depending on the condition and the understanding between the patient and their acupuncturist. After investing all the time and effort, there is always a possibility that the treatment might not provide a lasting cure.
Insurance coverage
It can sound surprising that certain insurance policies offer to cover acupuncture and other alternative treatment options. However, on a greater scale, most do not cover this treatment option. This means patients have to shell out their earnings to gain some semblance of health back, if not find a cure for themselves.
