06 Jul 5 Benefits of Holistic Healing
When you get to the point where you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, you’re willing to try anything to improve your quality of life. But oftentimes, that means seeking out doctors who practice western medicine — and with that, comes myriad tests that are invasive and uncomfortable, prescription drugs laden with chemicals that simply mask the issue rather than heal it, and surgeries that come with risks that may be scarier than the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Thankfully, there’s a better way. A way that focuses on holistic healing of your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM encompasses several different practices, such as acupuncture, moxibustion (burning the herb mugwort above the skin to send heat to acupuncture points), Chinese herbs, and cupping. These treatments support the harmony between two opposing (yet complementary forces), called yin and yang, and boost your Qi (vital energy).
But what does that mean for you? Are you experiencing pain, headaches, morning sickness, allergies or have had a stroke? According to the University of California- San Diego Center for Integrated Medicine, case-controlled clinical studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment of those ailments, along with many others. Consider these benefits:
1. Stress Relief
If you are experiencing long-term stress or anxiety, your muscles have likely tightened up, causing aches and pains throughout your body. Strong emotions, such as these, can negatively impact your body’s Qi from flowing smoothly. When this happens over an extended period of time, it leads to blockages that further perpetuate the symptoms. Treatments like acupuncture can increase the circulation of blood and oxygenate the tissues while cycling out cortisol (stress hormone) and release endorphins (natural pain killers). When combined with Chinese herbal medicine — there are hundreds that work to balance the body and reduce stress — you are truly experiencing holistic healing because your entire body is being treated synergistically.
2. Decreased Chronic Pain
There are few things worse than enduring chronic pain in any part of your body — from arthritis and backaches to migraines and fibromyalgia. Aside from the physical pain you experience, you may also face emotional distress ranging from fear to depression as the pain progresses. Pain is another ailment that benefits greatly from the one-two punch that acupuncture and Chinese herbs provide, but here a third component is often added: moxibustion. The heat from the dried herbs acts like a heating pad to ease discomfort during your treatment session.
3. Better Sleep
If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, then you’re part of the one in three people who have at least mild insomnia. Perhaps you have difficulty falling asleep, or you wake up in the middle of the night. Or you could be waking up too early because you’re experiencing vivid and disturbing dreams. Getting hooked on sleeping aids is a risky practice, so again, it’s best to explore a holistic healing option.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, acupuncture can help you feel more relaxed and less anxious, which may encourage you to fall asleep easier. It may also help manage sleep apnea. Depending on which scenario above most represents your situation, the placement of acupuncture needles will vary. While the effects may be immediate (some people even fall asleep during the treatment) you may require ongoing appointments or the addition of Chinese herbs to remain balanced.
4. Removing Dependence on Opiates, Drugs, and Alcohol
According to the CDC, on an average day in the U.S., more than 650,000 opioid prescriptions (pain medications like oxycodone, Percocet, Vicodin, and OxyContin) are dispensed and 78 Americans die from an opioid-related overdose. This abuse has led to an opioid epidemic. For those trying to kick the habit, withdrawal symptoms may include insomnia, nausea, vomiting, chills, muscle pain and abdominal pain — all of which can be eased by Chinese herbs and acupuncture. The use of holistic healing to treat various addictions and patients in detox is widely used — The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) was established in 1985, with its protocols being practiced in over 250 hospitals and treatment centers in the U.S. and U.K. to use acupuncture to aid in detoxification. And in 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) accepted acupuncture as a therapy for drug treatment.
5. Fertility
If you’re trying to get pregnant and want to support your fertility, or you have been struggling to get pregnant and want support with infertility (in conjunction with Western treatment or not), acupuncture can help. In addition to relieving stress, acupuncture can also help increase a woman’s fertility and treat various types of infertility. It can also help women with polycystic ovary syndrome get pregnant, and reduce the size of fibroids. Acupuncture can help infertile men by stimulating sperm production and quality and has been shown to increase success rates for women going through IVF.
If you are experiencing any of these ailments and are seeking relief, schedule an
appointment with Sicari Healing Arts today.