Acupuncture As An Alternative Option
Holistic healthcare by definition is being able to cure an illness through the use alternative means. This means no medication is given to the patient and an instrument like a simple needle could be used to cure chronic pain in the body. Acupuncture has been around for more than 2000 years, but it is only recently that this holistic form of healthcare has reached the United States. Studies have shown that it can not only treat minor problems, it can also prevent others from happening.
The needles used in acupuncture are very thin but thicker than the human hair. This means they are smaller than those used on hypodermic needles. Most patients that undergo acupuncture will usually not feel any significant change after only one session which is why a few sessions are recommended. Best of all, it is painless so your body will not feel sore afterwards.
Several studies have been conducted about acupuncture with very positive results. For instance in the UK, 400 participants who were suffering from migraines claimed they felt better after 3 months worth of sessions. In the US, acupuncture has also proven to be extremely effective in helping people deal with the pain and discomfort of arthritis because the needles help the body fight against this chronic illness and it is much less expensive and more effective than conventional Western medicine.
Acupuncture can do much more than just help patients deal with arthritis or migraines, clinical tests have shown that it can help obese people lose weight and those who are suffering from insomnia as well. In some countries, acupuncture has even been used to replace chemical anesthesia prior to surgery as there are some patients who are not able to tolerate the effects of regular anesthesia.
Another field which acupuncture has proven to be effective in is with helping patients deal with their addictions to alcohol, drugs and smoking. One study of smokers revealed that the average patient will cut down by half the number of cigarettes they consume after just one treatment. Just imagine the potential after a few more sessions. This has resulted in the establishment of clinics nationwide that only use acupuncture as the primary means of rehabilitation.
Acupuncturists in the US charge from $75 to $150 per session. This usually gets lower in the succeeding treatments. To see results, the person will generally have to undergo several treatments 2 to 3 times a week but this really depends on the condition of the patient and their specific ailments. Before you go to see an acupuncturist, you should check to see if this service is covered by your insurance; in many cases it is covered but may have limitations as to the number of visits per year.
Although there are risks if you decide to go undergo acupuncture, these can be avoided as long as the one doing it is a licensed professional who makes sure that the needles used are packaged and new or sterilized before they are inserted into the body. These days, a lot of people in the medical field have accepted the fact that alternative medicine such as this can be very helpful to the patient which is why they may often refer their patient to an acupuncturist as an additional treatment option.
So, if you are tired of experiencing the side effects of conventional medicine and want to try a holistic form of healthcare, why don’t you see what acupuncture can do for you? It is usually painless and extremely cost effective and beneficial.
