When searching for the right holistic therapy to assist in your health journey, it is important to first understand the time and money investment needed for optimal results. Acupuncture may require more frequent visits initially, but can be a cost-effective therapy due to its cumulative effect of resetting the body for healthier function on its own long after treatment sessions are over. Some of the resetting effects of acupuncture that lead to results lasting beyond the course of treatment include: 1. opening detox pathways, 2. regulating endogenous chemicals, 3. increasing microcirculation and 4. modulating muscle memory.
Acupuncture helps to open the detox pathways in a few different ways. When the surface of the skin barrier is punctured, the immune and lymphatic systems are stimulated, encouraging the elimination of excessive extracellular (outside of the cell) water. This helps release the excess water responsible for bloating, edema and cellular dehydration through the metabolic functions associated with urination, bowel movements and sweat. Through a course of acupuncture treatments, this detox function is optimized and easily maintained with adequate intake of electrolyte charged water, along with simple at home lymphatic exercises.
Endogenous chemicals are those produced by your body with the support of a balanced, nutrient dense diet. When the skin barrier is punctured with acupuncture needles, endogenous pain relievers and healing properties are released. These include opioids, which provide immediate pain relief and relaxation. During the course of a series of treatments, the body begins to self regulate cortisol and other hormones, resulting in increased energy and sleep quality and decreased stress and inflammation. Because of the innate, self-regulating cyclical nature of these hormones – triggered by daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal internal and external factors – balance can be maintained by establishing lifestyle routines that promote healthy patterns.
When needles are placed in certain local areas or points that activate the circulatory system, they can affect blood flow. Too much blood in an area causes inflammation, throbbing pain and, over time, stagnant blood which impedes proper healing. Inadequate blood flow can cause slower healing, numbness, stiffness and underperformance of organs and muscles. After a few weeks of treatment, increased vascularity – the flow of oxygen and nutrient rich blood – can restore normal function and be maintained with good nutrition and regular exercise.
Muscle memory takes place when our bodies get used to holding certain positions repetitively over long periods of time. This commonly occurs when we revert to the same movement or posture while sitting, sleeping, working, driving and exercising. Some muscles are overworked due to repetitive use in daily activities, poor posture and/or improper exercise form. Over time, adhesions form in the myofascial, or muscle fascia, network. Fascia are connective tissues that run throughout many regions of the body, including those surrounding skeletal muscles to supportive movement and posture, as well as those surrounding smooth muscles to supporting healthy organ placement and function. Dry needling acupuncture manually breaks down these adhesions in the myofascial regions. Meridian based acupuncture can increase blood flow to the deeper organ supporting myofascial network. Together, these techniques work to activate or release muscles, leading to a stronger core, better posture, optimal organ functioning, and proper activation of muscles during exercise. These results are maintained through things like core exercises, stretching, ergonomics, and overall mindfulness of bodily position throughout the day.
By facilitating detoxification, endogenous chemical regulation, microcirculation and proper muscle form and response, acupuncture can provide immediate relief, while imprinting healthier bodily function long after the treatment protocol is done. As an acupuncturist, I select a specific combination of one or more techniques – including ear acupuncture, meridian acupuncture, dry needling, cupping and more – in accordance with your current health goals. As an integrative healthcare provider, I take into account other therapies or procedures you have chosen, i.e. preparing for or recovering from surgery, reducing dependency on medications, and so on, to create a suggested protocol that is typically anywhere from 6-24 treatments. As a holistic healthcare provider and educator, my objective is to come up with a customized treatment protocol that guides you from immediate relief of symptoms to the long term cumulative effects of multiple treatments, maintained with at-home lifestyle recommendations in the most holistic and cost effective way possible.