Mental health is a critical part of your overall well-being. Ensuring that you care for and manage your mental health is as vital as managing physical health, and like physical health, it takes practice and determination.
We can learn a lot about mental health and new ways to maintain it by exploring other cultures and practices. Acupuncture is a traditional element of Chinese medicine and is often used to help with pain management, mental health and overall well-being. It is believed that acupuncture benefits an array of illnesses and acts as a natural painkiller and stress management tool. Let’s dive in and learn more about acupuncture and mental health.
What Is Acupuncture?
The first question we often receive from new clients is, ‘What is acupuncture?’ Acupuncture is a holistic approach to healing that originated in China hundreds of years ago. Practitioners believe that the body is filled with ‘qi,’ an invigorating force that provides an individual with physical and emotional well-being when allowed to flow unhindered. If the ‘qi’ is blocked or disrupted, a person may face illness, discomfort or other symptoms. As such, an acupuncturist’s goal is to ensure as smooth and free a flow of ‘qi’ as possible.
Acupuncture treatment uses tiny needles inserted into specific spots on your body. Each placement is strategic to restore harmonious balance to stimulate and release the body’s natural painkillers.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Mental and Emotional Health
Acupuncture benefits range from physical to mental and emotional well-being. Acupuncture for anxiety is a common treatment and helps by releasing built-up stress and balancing both physical and mental symptoms. With acupuncture, people can find relief by having an acupuncturist stimulate the pressure points associated with stress and anxiety, allowing energy (qi) to flow freely and slowing stress hormones. It also helps by releasing endorphins, resulting in positive, emotional feelings.
Because acupuncture is energy-focused, it helps alleviate the bad energy associated with negative thoughts and emotions, helping restore the flow of good energy.
What to Expect During Your Acupuncture Session
Whether you’re looking for acupuncture for anxiety, pain or other symptoms, you’ll visit an acupuncturist who will explain the process as they locate and assess the appropriate acupuncture points for your specific treatment. The length and number of sessions needed will be specific to your symptoms. Depending on your area of treatment, you’ll be asked to lay on your front back or side, followed by the placement of the single-use needles. While the needles themselves are not painful, you may feel a slight tingling sensation.
After the needles are placed, they will stay in place for a few minutes to half an hour, varying depending on your treatment. The room where the treatment takes place is often lit for relaxation and paired with aromatherapy. The overall experience is euphoric and soothing. Once it is time to remove the needles, your acupuncturist will do so in a gentle, pain-free manner. You’ll then continue your day, as usual, no downtime required and repeat the process in your next treatment session.
Are You Ready to Experience Acupuncture?
If you are experiencing anxiety, depression or pain and want to take a natural approach to treatment, then acupuncture could be right for you. Keeping your mental and emotional health in top shape will result in a healthy lifestyle where you can manage and overcome all of life’s obstacles.
Our professionals at Intrinsi, located in Calgary, AB, can help you rebalance your energy and help restore both your physical and mental well-being. To learn more about our treatment options, please call us at 403-229-9214 or book now through our website.