Most people come to acupuncturists for pain, often as a last resort after they’ve tried everything else. Acupuncture is great for pain. Treatments increase circulation, delivering more blood and, therefore, more oxygen to the area of pain to promote healing. Acupuncture treatments also activate endorphins, which are one of the “feel good” hormones in our bodies. While it can work wonders for pain, acupuncture can do so much more.

Pain relief is just the tip of the iceberg. Throughout the treatment process for pain, many patients experience what I like to call “beneficial side effects.” After several treatments, it is very common for a patient to comment about how much more energy they have or how much better they’re sleeping, pooping or managing stress.

This is the “Aha!” moment that opens patients up to treatments for other health issues. They realize and feel the benefits of their bodies coming into balance, even if the didn’t know they needed it!

I can go on and on about all the conditions acupuncturists can help. Both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have published long lists of conditions acupuncture can treat. Take a look!

As expansive as these lists are, the benefits of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are not limited to those conditions. Remember, they are all western diseases. In Oriental Medicine, disease results from imbalances in our bodies. Regardless of the name of a disease, acupuncturists focus on the patterns of imbalance and treat accordingly.

So the next time you see your acupuncturist don’t be afraid to let them about all your health concerns, even if you think we can’t help. You just  might be surprised what we could do.