Benefits of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in a Modern World

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest forms of healthcare and ancient Chinese believed that humans are a microcosm of the larger surrounding universe, and are interconnected with nature and subject to its forces. TCM’s basic concept is that a vital force of life, called Qi, surges through the body. Any imbalance to Qi can cause disease and illness. TCM treatment seeks to restore this balance through treatment specific to the individual. 

TCM uses various modalities to regain balance, treat illness and stimulate the body’s ability to self-heal and self-regulate, including acupuncture, herbal remedies, moxibustion, cupping, bleeding, Tui Na massage, and movement and concentration exercises (such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong).

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the skin. This causes physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland and parts of the brain. These responses can cause the body to release beneficial proteins, hormones and brain chemicals that govern a number of bodily functions. By stimulating physical responses, acupuncture positively affects blood pressure, body temperature, immune activity and causes the release of endorphins - the body’s natural painkillers.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can treat a wide range of conditions without major negative side effects. It increases circulation, stimulates the body’s immune system, and desensitizes pain receptors. In this way, it can help with a variety of conditions, from virtually any type of pain, including chronic low back pain, migraines and headaches, to anxiety, depression, gynecological health, digestive health, allergic rhinitis, chemotherapy-induced and post operative nausea and vomiting, fatigue, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dry eye, insomnia, labor pain, menopausal hot flashes, and much more.

There are numerous sources of evidence that TCM is safe and can be used as part of a treatment protocol for many conditions. You can find research-based evidence on acupuncture safety and a list of conditions that research has shown acupuncture to be beneficial here.