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Acupuncture, which is considered to be a specialisation within the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine, can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. It is governed by a complex set of principles, which we covered in part 1 of our Acupuncture Series. To explain it in the simplest possible terms, acupuncture works by inserting needles into the uppermost layers of the skin on specific points, sometimes referred to as acupoints. The acupoints are chosen based on symptoms and desired effects, and work by correcting the body’s energy flow and releasing hormones and endorphins that stimulate recovery.

Acupuncture has grown in popularity across the world for a variety of reasons over the past few years. Two of the most prominent reasons for the growth of acupuncture are the fact that its efficacy is now endorsed by several scientific studies, and the number of high-profile athletes and celebrities who use it to combat a variety of conditions. There has been a growing trend wherein individuals who rely on their bodies physical well-being and recovery processes in order to perform at the highest level in a variety of sports and other disciplines have incorporated acupuncture into their routines as they believe it puts them in the best possible physical shape.

However, before we delve into who uses acupuncture, we must first understand what acupuncture can be used for. Acupuncture is an extremely versatile treatment that can be applied to a number of different conditions. Since the treatments focus on energy flow and sensitive “acupoints” across the body, the area that receives the acupressure treatment isn’t necessarily the same as the area on the body where the problem is considered to have originated.

This goes to the very root of acupressure theory- take the example of an individual suffering from chronic back pack pain. Practitioners of Western medicine would study the back closely using x-rays and other procedures to provide imaging of the spine in order to try and identify the problem. Acupressure, on the other hand, would examine the body as a whole. Traditional Chinese Medicine posits that a blockage in the body’s energy flow could be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, lack of sleep, lack of physical activity, decadent lifestyle and many others. The acupuncture corrects the energy blockage, which in turn helps to reduce stress or lack of sleep (depending on each individual’s need), which ultimately helps in getting rid of the back pain.

Below are a list of the most common conditions that people turn to acupuncture for help with:

1. Pain Relief

2. Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting

3. Dental pain

4. Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines

5. Muscle Recovery

6. Labor pain

7. Low back pain

8. Neck pain

9. Osteoarthritis

10. Menstrual cramps

11. Respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis

Much like cupping therapy, acupuncture has been gaining more and more traction amongst professional athletes as sports science and medicine advances and we understand the importance of the recovery process and with the advent of social media. Social media has allowed athletes to share parts of their training and recovery processes with the world, and that has raised the profile of therapies and treatment methods that may have been considered as “alternative medicine” in the past.

The late Kobe Bryant, for example, showcased his rehabilitation from injury on his second day on Twitter, way back in 2013. The procedure he happened to showcase? Acupuncture! Several olympic athletes who have won medals, such as Amy Acuff, Dee Dee Trotter, Mark Mcmorris and Yin Jian, swear by the restorative properties of acupuncture and have done so for years. Celebrities like Robert Downey Jr, Natalie Portman, Celine Dion and Julianne Moore have been huge proponents of acupuncture, whether for muscle recovery, cosmetic procedures or other reason.

All of this has helped raise the profile of acupuncture all around the world, and turned it into an accepted treatment option. Acupuncture has many health benefits, including healing and recovery, sports performance, stress management, weight loss and promoting overall wellness. It can also help achieve cosmetic benefits such as younger-looking skin through facial acupuncture. So if you’re looking for a holistic remedy for whatever you may be dealing with, consider giving acupuncture a chance.