A Look at the Pros and Cons of Acupuncture

With nearly 13,000 acupuncture businesses now in the U.S., it is clear that people find it effective. However, despite the success rate and positive feedback, acupuncture can still have some cons.

If you are thinking about getting acupuncture for the first time then you should know every possible result.

Read on for all of the pros and cons of acupuncture before you try it.

Pros

Many people turn to acupuncture therapy as a pain treatment. It is also used as a remedy for stress and tension, both physical and mental. But, why do people choose acupuncture over more modern medicines? Here are a few pros of the treatment that makes patients try acupuncture.

Noninvasive Treatment

One of the most attractive aspects of acupuncture is that it is noninvasive. If you have severe pain that requires surgery or extensive rehabilitation then acupuncture acts as an alternative and aid to healing.

Minimal Side Effects

The side effects of acupuncture are minimal and are usually caused by inexperienced practitioners. This is due to the misplacement of needles. Otherwise, there are very few reactions to the needles since they do not go deep into the skin.

Practiced for Thousands of Years

Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine used for about 3,000 years as a mechanism to diagnose and treat common ailments. Therefore, it has been studied and tested more than the modern medicine we use today.

Natural Remedy

Acupuncture treatment does not add chemicals to the body. This makes it a natural choice for patients who prefer organic medicines.

Stimulates Healing

The way acupuncture works is that it stimulates the pressure points and nerves in the body to make it heal itself. It does this by moving energy through the nervous system and releasing natural chemicals already present in the body to create balanced physical wellness.

Cons

Even though acupuncture is becoming more popular and is an ancient practice, there are also a few cons to consider. Here are a few reasons you might hesitate or decide not to use acupuncture.

Chances of Infection

One of the main cons of acupuncture is that it should be unsanitary. If you use a careless acupuncturist then you could get an infection from the needles. This can be avoided by finding a reliable practitioner who uses sterile equipment.

Wrong Placement Can Cause Pain

When the needle is placed slightly off from the pressure point it can cause minor pain. If you do experience any pain be sure to tell the acupuncturist to avoid long-lasting discomfort.

Relief Takes Time

You may feel a boost in energy or slight relief right away depending on the severity of your issue. However, severe cases and long-term effects take time and many treatments.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Acupuncture

There is always a slight risk with any medical treatment, however, you need to weigh the pros and cons of acupuncture to decide if it is right for you. When you suffer from chronic pain and have tried other methods of healing that failed then acupuncture might be your savior.

Browse our Health section for more alternative healing practices.