Cosmetic acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of conditions. At 1st Choice Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in Bellevue, Washington, we are pleased to offer Cosmetic Acupuncture to those who believe in the healing power of this alternative medicine procedure.
Does Cosmetic Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese Medicine that dates back well over 3,000 years. More recently, scientific studies have confirmed that this long-trusted form of traditional medicine has proven useful in the treatment of a number of common health conditions.
Cosmetic acupuncture focuses on the focal points of the face. This does not necessarily mean that it only treats ailments affecting the face, however. The body’s nervous system is complex, and acupuncture targets areas of the body using different “trigger points” throughout. These include places on the face that are particularly sensitive to other areas of the body.
When these places are targeted, the energy meridians of the body are stimulated and begin relieving symptoms of a variety of physical and psychological conditions throughout the body. The lymphatic and circulatory systems are stimulated to work together to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the cells of the body, promoting healing and growth.
What Does Cosmetic Acupuncture Treat?
There are a large number of ways in which acupuncture of the face can be beneficial:
Allergies
In an eight-week clinical trial in 2016, German researchers determined that patients who received acupuncture required fewer medications and suffered fewer sinus and seasonal allergy symptoms than those in a control group who did not receive treatments.
Furthermore, the same research determined that those who received acupuncture rated their quality of life as significantly better than those who were a part of the control study. Based on the evidence, the University of Berlin concluded that “acupuncture treatment was more effective than symptomatic drug intervention” when it came to the routine treatment of allergies.
Amputation Neuroma Pain
Neuroma pain associated with amputation has a reputation for being very difficult to control. Over-the-counter painkillers are usually not enough to ward off the pain and prescription painkillers can be highly addictive, leading to more issues than just the pain itself.
Many have found that acupuncture of the face is an excellent alternative treatment, and science has proven this. A study published by the publication “ScienceDirect” found that as many as 80% of amputees who received acupuncture to treat their neuroma pain reported long-lasting relief over months or even years from the procedure.
Anxiety
Acupuncture is a great way to reduce stress and tension without the use of medication. A good acupuncturist can custom-tailor a session to reduce the tension that is being held in muscles throughout the body.
While this is not a quick fix, regular visits to your acupuncturist over a five to ten-week period have the ability to reduce stress and tension to the point of changing your whole life. An improvement in the quality of your life is always worth the time invested.
Chronic Fatigue
Many veterans suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is most common among those who struggle with Gulf War Illness. Acupuncture has been proven to help.
If you are feeling tired and without energy, this easily impacts the day-to-day functionality of your life and your self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. Acupuncture can help restore the energy in your body by eliminating symptoms like insomnia and phantom pain.
Over time, many have found that their Chronic Fatigue Syndrome faded entirely thanks to the implementation of a good acupuncture routine.
Chronic Pain
Many veterans report chronic or widespread pain or fibromyalgia upon their return from service overseas. It is hard to maintain a good quality of life when you are dealing with achy joints, headaches, muscle aches, and other sometimes unbearable symptoms of a pain disorder. This frustration is compounded by the limitations of medicine.
Acupuncture has been shown to minimize the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic pain over time, sometimes even eliminating the need for a pain management prescription at all.
Double Vision
Double vision is often caused by eye strain. Eye strain is typically the result of stress or exhaustion. By treating both of these ailments effectively through acupuncture, double vision could also be alleviated.
Studies have actually shown that, in some cases, double vision was done away with completely following a series of regularly scheduled acupuncture treatments.
Depression
After service overseas or a life-altering injury, depression is not uncommon. Acupuncture can provide treatment for depression and help you return to a greater standard of joy and peace in your life. If you are struggling with consistently depressive moods or have noticed a change in the way you view or interact with the world, it might be time to seek depression intervention.
The first line of defense against depression is often antidepressant medication, however, some report that these drugs don’t do enough to combat the depression itself and, instead, leave the sufferer feeling numb.
Acupuncture can help boost your mood and help you feel relaxed and positive about changing your outlook on life. This is particularly successful when added to an already existing regimen for depression treatment.
Hearing Issues
Tinnitus is another common complaint among veterans and other severe injury sufferers. This is a constant feeling of ringing in the ears.
Many times, hearing aids can be used to manage the effects of hearing issues, but this is not always the case. When nerve damage is the source of the hearing trouble, more is often needed. This is where acupuncture can be especially useful.
Many report that the symptoms of tinnitus become less noticeable after even just one appointment. Over time and with regular visits, hearing issues can be further relieved and maintained.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When we think of veterans, we often think of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Statistics have shown that as many as 25% of veterans are suffering from PTSD, with symptoms that include nightmares, emotional numbness, irritability, insomnia, flashbacks, depression, and anxiety among others.
Many veterans who suffer from PTSD do not seek treatment because they do not believe that there is any kind of help that will provide relief long term. Studies in acupuncture, however, have proven otherwise. Many have shown that acupuncture is highly efficient when it comes to the treatment of PTSD, citing numerous cases where the symptoms were alleviated over years with regular treatment.
Sleep Issues
Our bodies need to sleep. It is during our sleep cycle that our body is able to heal itself and recharge for the next day. When we aren’t able to sleep, this can play a huge role in how our bodies and minds function in the subsequent hours.
Concentration and mood are most often affected, however other issues like decreased muscle strength and pain can also be worsened. The relaxing process of cosmetic acupuncture provides a way to ease tension and anxiety in your body.
This will help you fall asleep more easily at the end of the day and stay asleep all night long. If you struggle to stay asleep at night or find that you are are having trouble falling asleep at all, a skilled acupuncturist can help you wind down and create a routine that is more conducive to a productive sleep cycle.
Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI
It has been found that acupuncture on the face can actually help to repair brain neurons.
When these neurons are repaired, symptoms, including headaches, fear, anxiety, and depression, are almost always alleviated as a result. Because the ability to relax is an essential component in healing from Traumatic Brain Injury, acupuncture has long been sought out as a viable treatment option.
If you do not identify with any of the ailments or needs on this list, don’t worry. This is only a small sample of the ways in which cosmetic acupuncture can improve quality of life.
Cosmetic Benefits
Much like Botox, cosmetic acupuncture can also provide a natural, chemical-free way to tighten the skin on the face. This includes a reduction in crows feet and smile lines as well as helping your cheeks and jawline look more defined. Acupuncture can also promote collagen growth, resulting in natural face fillers if done properly.
Call Today for a Consultation
Call 1st Choice Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in Bellevue, Washington today to schedule a consultation with a skilled acupuncturist. Together, we can figure out the best plan for cosmetic acupuncture to treat your discomfort and underlying conditions.
