3 Benefits of Acupuncture for Pain

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years—and like most things, lasting the turbulence of time is telling! 

Known as a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice, acupuncture has been explored by the scientific community over the last few decades. This age-old practice has been shown to significantly reduce pain, offering hope for many struggling with chronic pain or devastating injuries.

So, what is acupuncture anyway? This TCM practice involves the insertion of tiny needles into specific points in the body (known as acupuncture points or meridians). While the Chinese have long thought that this technique can help rebalance the body’s energy, scientific research studies have shown acupuncture’s surprising and beneficial physical effects—specifically when it comes to treating pain.

In this article, we take a closer look at this all-natural treatment and how it can help alleviate your pain and improve your life! Here are the top three benefits of acupuncture.

1. Improves Sleep

Sleep probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of pain. However, experts tend to agree that pain leads to sleep issues—and sleep problems can exacerbate pain. And maybe you’ve experienced this yourself. Not only are you uncomfortable, but you end up even more uncomfortable and tired. Yet, there’s good news: acupuncture might help with both!

Interestingly, acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating insomnia. This can help you finally get that good night’s sleep you crave—and, thus, help combat your pain from getting worse (and potentially improving it).

2. Stimulates Your Body’s Natural Healing Abilities

Acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system, releasing chemicals that help reduce or eliminate pain. In fact, this stimulation triggers the body’s natural healing response. Studies show that neurotransmitters, cytokines, hormones, and inflammatory factors all may be released through acupuncture, leading to healing from within.

In turn, this technique may also help you avoid invasive procedures or medications that often come with adverse side effects.

3. Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is a major cause of pain in any injury. While certain chemicals activate the pain receptors at the injury site, swelling can also compress surrounding structures, exacerbating pain even further.

However, acupuncture has been found to stimulate various anti-inflammatory pathways in the body. In turn, this can help reduce pain caused by inflammation, as well as promote healing and recovery.

If you’ve been experiencing pain, know it’s possible to overcome it. With the Tampa Spine and Wellness team, you can feel better and get back to the activities you love. With the best physical therapists and chiropractors in Tampa, we’re here to help you pave your way toward a life—free from pain! Contact us to book your appointment today. We’re only a call away.