Eight Holistic Health Benefits of Acupuncture for Mind and Body
Jun 01, 2024 12:01PM ● By Ayako Mizuno and Jordan Peschek, RN-BSN
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio for pexels.com
Acupuncture, one of the oldest forms of medicine, dates back 3,000 years. Licensed acupuncture practitioners treat their patients holistically with a combination of ancient wisdom, medical technology and modern science. Acupuncture can promote wellness and healing for a wide variety of mental and physical health conditions. With a trusted practitioner, patients can expect an individualized approach for their unique needs, a calming setting and ultra-thin needles which lead to minimal or no discomfort. Most patients express feeling very comfortable; many even fall asleep during treatments.
Weight Loss
Acupuncture increases metabolism by stimulating the thyroid and pituitary gland functions that are related to metabolism. As a result, workouts and daily activities will burn more calories and cause more weight loss. Acupuncture also stimulates the nervous and endocrine systems to produce brain chemicals and hormones that regulate hunger and appetite.
Reduction of Inflammation
Inflammation in the intestines, stomach, muscles and other tissues can slow down the metabolism, weaken the immune system, affect heart health and digestion, cause joint pain and many other issues. Acupuncture helps relieve inflammation by lowering the levels of oxidative stress in the body and regulating the immune system.
Digestion and Gut Health
Gut health is key for mind and body wellness. Preventing slow digestion helps to relieve constipation, bloating and other gastrointestinal issues that result in fat deposits in the body. Acupuncture can promote the repair of gastric mucosal injury and improve gastrointestinal function.
Blood Sugar Balance
Insulin is a key metabolic hormone that regulates blood glucose. Insulin resistance is associated with excess adipose tissue, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Growing evidence supports acupuncture on certain points in the ear and on the body to help balance sensitivity to insulin.
Stress Reduction and Anxiety
Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins—hormones that make us feel happy. This can create calming and relaxing effects that reduce stress and helps to manage feelings of anxiety, anger, irritability. When endorphin levels are too low, it negatively affects a person’s health and increases the likelihood of depression. Research suggests that acupuncture is a safe and effective adjunct for treating major depressive disorder due to its impact on endorphin release and related health benefits.
Sound Sleep
According to the American Sleep Association, nearly 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder. Insomnia is extremely common, with 30 percent of adults experiencing it short-term and about 10 percent chronically. A holistic medicine approach toward insomnia is to reduce stress to promote better sleep. Acupuncture, nutritional advice, Chinese herbal medicine, lifestyle changes, mindfulness, yoga and meditation are all effective methods to stop tossing and turning.
Fertility and Women’s Wellness
Acupuncture practitioners that specialize in infertility can personalize and customize treatment to support patients with not only female issues, such as those related to hormone balance and age, but also mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Acupuncture can help relieve morning sickness, physical pain, fatigue and insomnia.
Preventive Medicine
Acupuncture also works as a preventive medicine, which provides harmony throughout every season of the year. Acupuncture has been shown to help reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of seasonal allergy flare-up, too. To maintain health and wellness all year long, consult with a licensed TCM practitioner to learn which season most influences you. This will be helpful in treating current issues as well as preventing future ones.
Regular acupuncture has helped people for centuries to find healing and balance in the body and mind in a multitude of ways. It helps restore energy flow in the body where blockages may cause mental or physical imbalance or disease.
Mizuno, DAOM, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist and the owner of PLUMERIA ACUPUNCTURE AND HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER, LLC located at 2500 N. Mayfair Rd., Ste. 410, Wauwatosa. For more information, call 414-687-0087 or visit PlumeriaWellness.com.
Jordan Peschek, RN-BSN is a registered nurse and publishes Natural Awakenings Milwaukee magazine. She studied business, leadership and nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a passion for holistic and preventive wellness, and her background includes personal training and teaching yoga.
