Therapeutic acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that takes into account a patient’s well-being and address the whole body, including mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. It involves the use of thin sterilized needles that are placed in acupuncture points that have connections to different regions of the nervous system and brain wherein it starts overall systemic responses and localized improvements.
Aside from being a great alternative for pain medications, acupuncture is also good for mental health.
Continue reading to know about the reasons why acupuncture benefits our brains.
Fewer Migraines
According to studies, acupuncture is beneficial in managing any type of headache. Experts have found that the method can help modulate the pain pathways causing neutral changes resulting in migraine pain. The neck and the back of the head are some of the important points on temporal regions that have been found to be effective for the acute treatment of migraines and headaches.
Pain Management
Acupuncture has been used traditionally for pain management or anesthesia. Several brain-imaging studies have demonstrated its action in modulating pain pathways thus lessening chronic pain including headache, peripheral neuropathy, backache, trigeminal neuralgia, pain due to fibromyalgia, and cancer pain.
Improved Quality Of Sleep
With acupuncture, brain activation is induced with improvement, in particular, neurotransmitter ratios. This scenario contributes to a more relaxed state and calm mind, helping us have a better sleep at night.
Improved Blood Flow Throughout The Body
This is another amazing effect brought by acupuncture.
According to experts, acupuncture constricts blood vessels and releases vasodilators, which works by relaxing the blood vessels thus reducing high blood pressure and cerebral blood pressure in our body.
Can Help Relieve Anxiety
Results of a 2013 study revealed that acupuncture is effective against autonomic nerve-related disorders such as anxiety and nervousness, cardiovascular diseases, epilepsy, PCOS and subfertility. Researchers of the study concluded that acupuncture can help the brain stop autonomic response which worsens symptoms of these nerve-related disorders.
Improved Focus And Memory
Acupuncture helps a person have better learning, focus, and recall. This ancient practice works by improving vagal response and allowing a more stable resting-state connectivity of brain cell networks.
