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Chiropractic Techniques in Santa Monica

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a type of treatment that stimulates points on the body to relieve pain in other areas. The most common method uses very thin, metal needles to penetrate the skin. Acupuncture is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, and is used for treating pain and other health problems.

What Is Acupuncture?

During an acupuncture treatment, very fine needles are inserted into the skin at specific acupuncture points on the body. The needles are so small that you will experience very little to no discomfort when they are placed in the skin.

The locations where the needles are inserted may not be the same area where you are experiencing pain. During most treatment sessions, an acupuncturist will insert between five and 20 needles.

After the needles are in place, your practitioner may apply electrical pulses or heat to the needles. He or she may also twirl or move them to stimulate the acupuncture points. The needles will stay in place for 10 to 20 minutes. During this time, you will have to sit or lie still.

Each acupuncture treatment takes around 30 minutes. You may need one or two treatments per week, with up to about eight treatments.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture balances the flow of energy — known as chi or qi — in your body. When the acupuncture needles are inserted in the skin at the right acupuncture points, the flow of energy is rebalanced.

Western doctors believe that acupuncture may stimulate connective tissue, muscles and nerves. Some believe that this increases the blood flow to parts of the body and boosts the body’s natural ability to provide relief from pain.

Types of Pain Treated by Acupuncture

Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of conditions. This includes the following types of chronic pain: