It is not uncommon to question if acupuncture works. After all, this Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) existed more than 2,000 years ago when scientific studies and inventions, as well as Western medication, were hardly even ideas.
But acupuncture has been regarded as “alternative therapy” since Western medication became the dominant choice for treatment. Even in 2020, there are still some misconceptions about this therapy despite many patients, and even some hospitals and medical practitioners, embracing acupuncture as a viable treatment option.
At Guan Physical Therapy and Acupuncture in Gainesville, we aim to enlighten people about the benefits of acupuncture. Here are some acupuncture misconceptions you need to stop believing this year:
1. The effects are placebo.
Placebo means that the treatment has no therapeutic effect and the benefits are more psychological than medical. But ten thousands of clinical trials have been done about acupuncture in over two decades to prove the science behind it. In recent times, many of these trials have been controlled, gold-standard studies that the World Health Organization endorses.
2. Acupuncture only remedies headaches, body pain or back problems.
On the contrary, acupuncture helps patients with various ailments and health concerns ranging from blood pressure control, asthma, menstrual problems, sleep disorders, and digestive issues, as shown by several studies.
For some patients, acupuncture and other forms of Chinese medicine in Gainesville, Fl have significantly improved their condition when other cures have not. For many patients, acupuncture works to supplement and enhance the effects of physical therapy. It helps them manage their health issues better.
3. It doesn’t work as fast as Western medicine.
Western medicine, which mostly relies on pharmaceutical or medical drugs, targets hormones in the body that either inhibits, increases or decreases the neurotransmitters that mask the symptoms of your ailment. On the other hand, the technique used for acupuncture in Gainesville opens the body’s natural healing energies using a thin needle, which doesn’t have magical powers.
More often than not, the effects of acupuncture treatments manifest after a few sessions are done close together within a period of a month or two. This is necessary to trigger your body to heal itself and it’s a process that doesn’t happen as fast as the effects of medication.
Unlike drugs, however, acupuncture will not mask symptoms. Rather, it can address the underlying cause of why your health issues keep coming back.
4. Acupuncture hurts, especially for those with sensitive skin.
The needles might seem painful and terrifying for some people but these are thinner than medical syringes. In truth, you could only feel a slight prick on the skin as the needles penetrate but the sensation will dissipate right away, regardless if you have sensitive skin or not. For those who have had acupuncture more than once, the needles actually provide a calming effect similar to a massage.
Find the best provider of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in Gainesville Fl
If you are considering an acupuncture treatment and don’t know where to start or what to expect, our world-class acupuncturist in Guan Acupuncture can help you ease your anxiety and answer all of your questions. Talk to Dr. Guan to get the best assessment and acupuncture options for your health needs. For more information, please Contact Us.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
