4 Chronic Conditions That May Benefit From Acupuncture

A chronic condition or disease lasts for a significant amount of time, typically for a year or more. Chronic diseases are a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. and can wreak havoc on one’s physical and mental health. It comes as no surprise that people who suffer from chronic conditions report poorer quality of life.

More and more people with chronic diseases are looking for a natural way to manage their condition and are turning to acupuncture for help. Studies show that acupuncture may help reduce the symptoms of chronic conditions by restoring the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Here are some chronic conditions that may benefit from acupuncture.

Arthritis

Arthritis is not a single disease; rather it’s an umbrella term for diseases that affect joints. Common arthritis symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, and redness in one or more joints. Arthritis pain can range from mild/dull to sharp and throbbing. It can interfere with everyday life and can affect a person’s mobility.

Acupuncture can help manage arthritis symptoms by stimulating the body to produce endorphins and other feel-good hormones that reduce pain and improve an individual’s sense of well-being. It can also help support areas of inflammation.

Back Pain

Chronic back pain can be debilitating. Back pain could be caused by a range of different things. It could result from a past injury or could stem from a health condition such as spinal stenosis, arthritis of the spine, myofascial pain syndrome, or disc problems. According to some estimates, chronic back pain affects approximately 23% of the global population and is a leading cause of disability worldwide.

If you are trying to cope with back pain, see a Contra Costa County acupuncturist.

Acupuncturists insert needles through the skin at strategic points on the body to trigger the release of chemicals into the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. These chemicals either change our perception of pain or cause bodily changes that promote a sense of well-being.

Stress

Chronic stress is a silent killer. It can negatively affect your physical as well as mental health. Research shows that stress can worsen or increase the risk of serious health conditions and diseases such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression.

Acupuncture helps reduce stress by stimulating the body to produce more endorphins and other natural pain-killing chemicals. It also oxygenates the tissues to reduce your stress hormone levels.

Asthma

Asthma causes swelling in the airways and can affect people of all ages. Asthma can cause breathing difficulties and make some physical activities challenging or even impossible. People with asthma often go to great lengths to avoid their triggers.

Acupuncture can help reduce inflammation by lowering levels of IL-6 and other pro-inflammatory proteins.

Monarch Acupuncture & Wellness is a renowned acupuncture clinic in Contra Costa County. Our expertise enables us to accurately diagnose health problems and treat their root cause. To schedule your first appointment, click here.