Acupuncture for Pain
By Artin Mahboubi, L.Ac., DiplAc.
There are many different kinds of pain, and from time to time, everyone experiences one form or another. Our pain may be caused by a sports injury, an auto accident or by sitting at our desk too long. Whatever the cause, pain is a warning signal, an alarm that goes off when the body is trying to tell us something is wrong or out of balance.
We often choose to either ignore the pain or silence it. However, neither of these choices get to the root of the problem or address the original reason for the pain. By ignoring or silencing the message the body is sending us, the underlying problem remains, the pain may become chronic, and some permanent damage may be done to organs or structures of the body.
We have essentially four options: we can ignore it and hope that it will go away with rest and the passage of time. Second option is to take medications, whether OTC or prescription, third option is to have surgery, which sometimes is our only option, but sometimes leads to no improvement. Our fourth and last option is to address the root cause of the pain. The time-tested, safe, and effective natural approach of acupuncture is an ancient healing technique that does just that.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognize the benefits of acupuncture in treating and eliminating pain due to a wide range of causes.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture works with the energetic life force called qi (chee) that courses throughout our bodies, and all of earth. Like anything else that flows, the flow of qi can be impeded by any number of situations such as trauma, injury, surgery, stress or life style habits. An acupuncturist uses hair thin needles to redirect the flow of qi. When the energy is balanced and flowing freely the pain resolves.
It is important for qi to flow throughout the body unimpeded. A blockage in the flow of qi anywhere in the body inhibits the amount of nourishment that reaches our cells and tissues. If the body is under stress, either physical or emotional, it is in a weakened state and symptoms such as pain may arise. This is when an intervention such as acupuncture is helpful to restore the flow of qi. Making a correct choice about how to handle the pain is paramount in our long term health. Choosing acupuncture will address and correct the underlying problem.
With acupuncture, hair thin, sterile needles are inserted in various parts of the body, the flow of qi is restored, and pain relief is achieved. There are over 400 points on the body, but only a handful are chosen in each treatment.
Depending on the length and nature of the pain or injury, after a few weekly treatments, significant resulted are achieved, from major reduction to complete resolution of pain.
Other forms of adjunct therapies may also be recommended, such as massage, stretching, yoga, herbal or dietary supplements.
Dr Bruce Pomerantz, a Toronto neurosurgeon, says: "I can't see a better solution to long-term chronic pain. There is no question in my mind that acupunctu8re is safer than surgery or drugs."
I say, when it comes to pain, no matter what the problem may be, first give acupuncture a try. If the desired relief is not achieved, then try different approaches such as medicine or surgery.
Acupuncture also brings with it pleasant side effects, such as spiritual and emotional improvements and better balance, as well as stress reduction. I also teach my patients how to stay well and handle the stresses that life throws at us.