Acupuncture is a term derived from Latin and consists of the words "acus" meaning needle and "punctio" meaning pricking. Acupuncture is a treatment method based on inserting thin needles into specific points on the skin and stimulating these points. Acupuncture is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, having been used successfully in the treatment of various diseases for thousands of years. It increases the self-healing capacity of the organism by helping balance body energy.
What is Acupuncture Used for? What is Acupuncture Good for?
It has not been fully determined what effect thin needles inserted into the skin have on the body. However, recent research shows that as a result of acupuncture's effect on the brain, the person gains a positive mood and hormones that prevent pain are secreted. These hormones are commonly known as endorphins and serotonin. Scientific studies conducted in this field reveal that acupuncture treatment has a healing effect, especially against back and joint pain. A study conducted in America found that acupuncture was more effective in treating chronic pain compared to placebo. The effectiveness of treatment is related to the following factors:
- Strengthening the immune system
- Increasing hormone secretion
- stimulation of blood vessels
- relaxation of muscles
- Stimulation of the nervous system (like endorphins)
How is Acupuncture Done?
Needles used for acupuncture treatment are applied to points determined according to the disease to be treated. In this treatment, sterile and disposable, extremely thin needles are preferred. Patients usually only feel a slight pain during the first insertion of the needle. After a while, a slight warm feeling may occur in the treated areas. While the needles remain in the skin for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, special stimulation techniques are used to achieve specific results. Needles can be used to stimulate the subconscious current by extra heating or by moving them up and down. There are also other treatment procedures that target acupuncture points. For example, the acupressure technique aims to distribute energy density by massaging with fingers and relax the organs connected to these points. The depth of acupuncture points may vary between 2 mm and 4 cm depending on different parts of the skin.
Which Diseases Can Be Treated with Acupuncture?
Acupuncture can be effective in treating a wide variety of diseases. Acupuncture can be used in the treatment of a total of 40 diseases defined by the World Health Organization. “What diseases can be treated with acupuncture?” The answer to the question is as follows:
- Acupuncture slimming
- allergies
- Headache and migraine
- Situations related to women's health and birth
- Chronic respiratory diseases (bronchitis, asthma)
- Psychiatric problems
- Rheumatic disorders
- Back pain
- quit smoking
- Digestive system disorders
- heel spur
Pain Treatment with Acupuncture
Recent studies have shown that acupuncture can help treat certain types of pain, reduce nausea and vomiting, and facilitate childbirth. For example, in a large-scale study conducted in Germany, it was determined that acupuncture significantly relieved pain, headache and back pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. The same study showed that it reduced the number of days with tension headaches by 50%. Acupuncture has been at the center of many studies on its effectiveness in managing head, neck, back, knee and osteoarthritis pain. There is also evidence to support that acupuncture can help treat common conditions such as hay fever, tennis elbow, menstrual cramps, allergic asthma or functional gastrointestinal problems.
What are the side effects of acupuncture?
So what are the side effects of acupuncture? Acupuncture is applied only by licensed doctors in Turkey. When acupuncture treatment is performed by a specialist physician, the risk of serious side effects is low. The most common side effects are mild pain and bleeding at the injection sites and mild palpitations. Rarely, pain lasting up to 4 weeks may occur as a result of nerve damage. However, when applied under unhygienic conditions or by people without expertise, dangerous infections and other serious complications may occur.
Slimming with Acupuncture
Acupuncture is believed to be effective through various mechanisms that can aid weight loss. Weight loss with acupuncture can help the weight loss process by regulating the flow of energy in the body in the following ways:
- Speeding up metabolism
- Reducing appetite
- Suppressing the hunger center in the brain
- reduce stress
According to traditional Chinese medicine, weight gain is caused by an imbalance in the body. These imbalances usually occur due to a liver, spleen, kidney, thyroid gland, or hormonal dysfunction. Therefore, acupuncture treatments for weight loss are generally directed to these areas.
It is not possible to lose weight with puncture. For this reason, it should be applied together with sports and diet. It is known that the most effective acupuncture points for weight loss are located in the ear. There are points in the ear that can affect all organs in the human body.
The effectiveness of acupuncture points in the ear is attributed to the short distance between the ear and the brain. These points are stimulated according to the areas where fat deposits are located in the body. Additionally, possible concomitant symptoms such as knee osteoarthritis, back pain or gastrointestinal problems are included in the treatment plan. The goal is always to achieve permanent results. According to the findings, needles can be left in the ear for up to 10 days. The benefits of needles placed on acupuncture points in the ear are as follows:
Feeling full faster,
Decreased feeling of hunger,
Elimination of the habit of overeating,
Increased metabolism and fat burning rate,
Removing toxins from the body,
Patients feel more calm, balanced and energetic.
The main reason for weight gain is usually wrong eating habits, and it is not easy to change them. Disorders such as fatigue, stomach problems, headache, dizziness, stress and irritability experienced while dieting can be controlled with acupuncture treatment. However, acupuncture makes dieting easier. It increases the levels of happiness hormones called serotonin and endorphins by reducing the level of noradrenaline in the brain. In this way, the need for food decreases. As the metabolism accelerates, more calories are burned than normal, thus accelerating weight loss.
It is also thought that acupuncture improves digestion, reduces stomach acid and balances insulin and other hormones. However, it should not be forgotten that in order to achieve rapid and permanent results in matters such as weight loss or regional slimming, acupuncture treatment should be supported by a solid exercise plan and a healthy diet program. With a program implemented in this way, you can lose 10-15% of your weight within 2 months.
What are the points to consider when coming to acupuncture treatment?
According to the comments and expert opinions of those who have had acupuncture, before starting acupuncture treatment, you should make sure that the person who will perform the application is a certified doctor and that you receive service in a center licensed by the Ministry of Health. You should also not forget to get information about how effective the treatment will be for your situation and what stages it includes. You should definitely eat something 2 hours before the acupuncture treatment. Otherwise, you may risk fainting. It is also important to wear loose-fitting clothing to your appointment because it makes it easier for the acupuncturist to place the needles in the correct areas. You should also stop consuming coffee at least 2 hours before acupuncture due to its stimulating effect.
What Should Be Considered After Acupuncture?
It is important to pay attention to the following points after acupuncture:
- A slight feeling of fatigue is normal: You may experience a slight feeling of fatigue after acupuncture. This is your body's response to treatment and part of the healing process. Take time to rest and allow yourself to recover the necessary energy.
- Drink plenty of water: Many biological changes occur in the body during acupuncture treatment. It is recommended to consume plenty of water to support these changes and help remove toxins from the body.
- Avoid physical activities: Strenuous exercises or physical activities are not recommended after an acupuncture session. It is important to give your body the opportunity to rest so that the treatment can function fully.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Alcohol and caffeine can reduce the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. It is recommended that you stay away from these substances after the session.
- Take care of a balanced diet: Acupuncture treatment should be supported by a balanced and healthy diet to have a positive effect on your general health.
- Be prepared for emotional changes: Since acupuncture regulates the flow of energy in the body, you may experience emotional fluctuations. This is completely normal and usually subsides within a few days.
- Don't miss your next sessions: Acupuncture treatment often requires more than one session. For the treatment to yield the best results, it is important that you attend all scheduled sessions.
