Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the body. It’s been used for thousands of years in Asian countries and is gaining recognition in the West.
This post discusses the connection between physical and mental well-being through acupuncture.
Physical Well-being
Pain Relief
Acupuncture is often sought for its potential to alleviate chronic pain. Research suggests it may help with various types of chronic pain, including lower back pain, neck pain, and arthritis.
- Chronic Pain: A comprehensive study involving over 17,000 participants indicated that acupuncture might be more effective than placebo treatments for long-term pain relief (Vickers et al., 2018).
- Lower Back Pain: Research found significant pain relief and improved movement in people with chronic lower back pain who received acupuncture compared to those who received a placebo treatment (Chou et al., 2012).
Other Conditions
Acupuncture has also been studied for its potential benefits in conditions like migraines and asthma, which can further enhance overall well-being.
- Migraines: A study with 147 participants reported that acupuncture reduced the frequency of headaches more effectively than no treatment (Linde et al., 2016).
- Asthma: Research involving 1,445 patients found that acupuncture might improve asthma control and quality of life compared to placebo or no treatment (Brinkhaus et al., 2017).
Mental Well-being
Chronic pain can significantly impact mental health. Therefore, reducing physical discomfort might contribute to improved mental wellness. Acupuncture is often considered for its potential dual benefits.
Depression and Anxiety
Acupuncture has been studied for its effects on mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, which can be exacerbated by chronic pain.
- Depression: A study with 755 patients found that both acupuncture and counseling were associated with reduced depression symptoms compared to usual care (MacPherson et al., 2013).
- Anxiety: Research indicated significant reductions in anxiety symptoms for those receiving acupuncture compared to no treatment (Cao et al., 2009).
Insomnia
Sleep disturbances can negatively affect both physical and mental health. Acupuncture may offer benefits for improving sleep quality.
- Insomnia: A systematic review found that acupuncture might improve sleep quality and duration compared to placebo or no treatment (Cao et al., 2009).
Integrated Approach
A comprehensive research program examined acupuncture for chronic pain and depression in primary care. It found that acupuncture might be an effective complementary treatment for managing both chronic pain and depression (Spackman et al., 2016).
How Might Acupuncture Work?
- Pain Relief: Acupuncture may increase endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
- Inflammation Control: It might reduce inflammation by affecting inflammatory molecules in the body.
- Stress Relief: Acupuncture could help balance the nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
References
- Brinkhaus, B., Ortiz, M., Witt, C. M., Roll, S., Linde, K., Pfab, F., Niggemann, B., Hummelsberger, J., Treszl, A., Ring, J., Zuberbier, T., Wegscheider, K., & Willich, S. N. (2017). Acupuncture in patients with allergic asthma: A randomized pragmatic trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 23(4), 268-277. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2016.0357
- Chou, R., et al. (2012). Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain: A joint clinical practice guideline. Annals of Internal Medicine, 147(7), 478-491. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-147-7-200710020-00006
- Linde, K., et al. (2016). Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6, CD001218. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub3
- MacPherson, H., et al. (2013). Acupuncture and counseling for depression in primary care: A randomised controlled trial. PLoS Medicine, 10(9), e1001518. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001518
Spackman, E., et al. (2016). Acupuncture for chronic pain and depression in primary care: A programme of research. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library. DOI: 10.3310/pgfar05030
Vickers, A. J., et al. (2018). Acupuncture for chronic pain: Update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. Journal of Pain, 19(5), 455-474. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005
Cao, H., Pan, X., Li, H., & Liu, J. (2009). Acupuncture for treatment of insomnia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(11), 1171–1186. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2009.0041