Acupuncture is an effective way to treat pain, emotional struggles, and hormonal imbalances. It includes taking extremely fine needles and placing them into certain areas of the body to help alleviate pain and decrease inflammation.

The Positive Effects of Acupuncture

What kinds of side effects can you expect to experience after receiving acupuncture treatments? Are they negative or positive? Here are the most likely side effects of acupuncture!

Decreased Pain in Your Neck and Back

Acupuncture has been demonstrated to treat several body pains by encouraging healing. To accomplish this, acupuncture promotes blood flow throughout the body, which is believed to aid recovery and pain relief. In addition, consistent acupuncture treatments have been shown to decrease inflammation and release endorphins. 

This has proven particularly effective at treating pain disorders such as chronic pain syndrome. You can expect side effects such as improved mobility and decreased neck, back, and extremities pain!

Positive Mood

Acupuncture has been shown to decrease negative emotions and feelings of depression. Experts believe this because it helps regulate the body's hormonal levels and encourages positive emotions. Many say they feel a sense of clarity and focus after their treatments, which also helps elevate their mood.

Additionally, many believe acupuncture helps patients regain energy and thus feel more enthusiastic about life and social activities. You might find yourself experiencing a cheery outlook and overall positivity!

Increased Activity Levels

Since acupuncture helps encourage blood flow, it's been shown to improve energy levels. This helps people experience better athletic and exercise performances. This helps people manage their weight and overall health. Not only does this make people feel an improved physical performance, but an overall feeling of confidence.

Some side effects of acupuncture could leave you feeling happy, confident, and more energetic!

Improved Sexual Performance

As stated above, acupuncture is a powerful tool for increased energy levels. This can give you an extra boost during sex and romantic activities. This can especially help people suffering from erectile dysfunction and other sexual performance difficulties. You and your partner will have a more pleasant and pleasurable experience thanks to improved mood and energy.

If better sex seems like a good side effect for you, then acupuncture is right for you!

Increased Social Activity

Since acupuncture can improve your mood and energy, you might find yourself wanting to go out more! Nothing makes people want to go out and engage socially more than feeling good and confident.

A New Love of Wellness

Last on our list of potential side effects of acupuncture is a new love of wellness. Many of us are so busy and distracted that we don't realize how much pain and anxiety we feel every day. Often, we brush these symptoms aside until they become so intense we need help. Now that you feel good for the first time in years, you might find that you want to keep feeling that way!

Your body will thank you for this newfound love!

Harness These Power of Acupuncture

Most times, we think of "side effects" as a negative part of medication or a medical procedure. But there are positive side effects as well! We hope this article helped highlight some of acupuncture's best aspects.

If you want to start feeling more energetic and overall wellness, you should find a trained professional acupuncturist. Fast Relief Acupuncture offers several of the best acupuncture treatments available! If you want to start feeling better, get in touch with us today!

Most people would never consider puncturing their skin to heal old scars. Yet that is the beauty of acupuncture! While it seems counterintuitive, creating very fine abrasions to the skin can stimulate healing.

If you want to know more about how this works and where to get your service, keep reading!

What Causes Scar Tissue?

Generally, most scars are caused by damage to the skin, either on the surface or below. However, scars can be caused by many different impacts on the skin leading to dozens of scar varieties. The most common causes include accidents, surgeries, and other skin conditions causing collagen buildup.

Some of the most common causes of scars include the following:

• Surgical scars
• Pock marks from acne
• Keloid and hypertrophic scars from skin damage and collagen deposits
• Less painful, fine-line scars from small incisions in the skin
• Burn scars

Each of these scars has a different cause and slightly different pain levels. But each is the leftover damage to the skin after an injury. When you injure your skin, it releases collagen to repair the torn protein. This is a good thing because it helps encourage healing. Without it, your body wouldn't be capable of healing wounds and closing gaps in the skin. However, this collagen can deposit unevenly. These uneven deposits can result in bumps or ridges in the skin, which can become irritated or painful.

Damaged nerve endings cause this skin irritation. When the skin is cut or otherwise damaged, it results in damaged nerves that heal improperly. The more irritated they are, the more likely you are to scratch these scars. This makes them more inflamed and irritated, which could lead to them reopening and becoming infected.

Does Acupuncture Dissolve Scar Tissue?

Yes, acupuncture does dissolve scar tissue. This is achieved by decreasing inflammation and calming nerve receptors. Fine acupuncture needles puncture the skin and create micro-abrasions, encouraging the body's natural healing ability.

Acupuncture is a very effective way to decrease inflammation under the skin. This is essentially thanks to damage to the Nociceptors and Mechanoreceptors. These are nerve receptors in the skin that might begin misfiring when damaged. They communicate to the central nervous system about damage to the skin. This triggers a response in the body to heal the affected area. This usually results in white blood cells and an immune response to the hurt area. 

However, it can also cause inflammation since these nerves can get damaged. This more or less causes them to be overactive and send incorrect signals. Thus, your body becomes inflamed, and pressure builds up beneath the skin. This can be irritating and bothersome. Acupuncture decreases inflammation and stimulates natural healing in the affected areas.

Does Acupuncture Help Address Pain Caused By Scar Tissue?

Acupuncture is one of the best ways to decrease pain in every place of the body. This is achieved by increasing serotonin and endorphin production in the brain. These naturally occurring chemicals are responsible for pain relief and improved mood.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, acupuncture can significantly decrease pain. First, acupuncture stimulates pain-relieving chemicals in the brain and bolsters your mood. This significantly reduces pain in wounded areas.

However, acupuncture also decreases inflammation. Scar tissue is inflamed tissue and creates an uncomfortable sensation in the skin. This can make the skin feel itchy, inflamed, and lose flexibility. Acupuncture encourages blood flow and healing by creating small, extremely fine abrasions to the skin. When applied to injured skin, it helps reverse scar tissue and relieve pain.

Where To Get Professional Acupuncture Treatment for Your Scar Tissue

If you've been feeling self-conscious about your scarred skin, don't worry. Everyone has their wounds from the past, and not all damage heals the same way.

Acupuncture is one of the best ways to naturally reverse and heal old scars!

Get in touch today!

Have you ever felt depressed in the autumn and winter months? Does the cold weather and darkness make you feel fatigued? You might be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

The excellent news is acupuncture can help alleviate these symptoms. If you want to know more about this condition and how to get the help you need, keep reading!

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Oftentimes, feelings of depression and energy loss usually characterize Seasonal Affective Disorder. Most who suffer from this condition say the symptoms surface during autumn and linger through winter. SAD can be a debilitating condition that prevents people from engaging in social activities and disrupts work performance.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is sometimes referred to as seasonal depression. Mostly, this is because it's not a persistent depressive condition that persists through all seasons. Instead, it usually occurs in the fall or winter. In fact, most experts believe this disorder is primarily caused by less sunlight exposure.

Sunlight is essential for producing vitamin D, an important nutrient for the functioning of the human body. But, experts are still studying how it's linked to depression. However, some speculate that SAD occurs for several reasons, including the following:

• Lack of sunlight
• Messed up circadian rhythm
• Less melatonin production

So, when we don't get adequate sunlight, which is common in winter months, it impacts our body's natural cycles.  As a result, it prevents our body from producing sleep hormones such as melatonin which can disrupt our hormonal balance.

Moreover, many mainstream treatment approaches include antidepressants, but many don't like this unnatural treatment. Fortunately, acupuncture has been used for centuries to treat mood disorders. We will explore this below.

Acupuncture for Seasonal Affective Disorder

When it comes to seasonal affective disorder, acupuncture can be an effective and natural treatment. For many years, acupuncture has helped elevate mood and improve energy levels, which counteracts the symptoms of SAD. In addition, acupuncture helps promote overall wellness and health, which benefits those suffering from hormonal disorders.

While the exact cause of SAD is unknown, the treatments are numerous. For example, acupuncture can effectively treat most SAD symptoms since it increases mood and energy. In fact, this is because acupuncture opens your body's natural systems and increases blood flow.

One of the main symptoms of SAD is a decrease in energy and interest. Yet, acupuncture can effectively treat these symptoms by increasing natural hormone production. You see, acupuncture has been shown to treat feelings of fatigue by encouraging the production of carnitine, an essential part of the body's cell production of energy and stamina. In other words, this can help treat symptoms of fatigue, loss of interest, and sexual dysfunction caused by SAD.

However, acupuncture can also improve feelings of sadness and hormonal imbalance. Many studies have demonstrated how acupuncture can elevate moods. This is achieved by enhancing melatonin production, which aids in proper sleep and balanced hormone levels.

Treating the Symptoms

Ultimately, there are no known cures for seasonal affective disorder. At the same time, acupuncture can help to alleviate the symptoms and improve overall well-being. Even though you might continue experiencing these symptoms every winter, acupuncture can alleviate them and even prevent them.

In any case, treating the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder is the best way to address this condition. Occasionally, feelings of depression may return. Nonetheless, proper care and consistent treatment can alleviate the symptoms. In general, many who receive acupuncture feel better and less impacted by the condition, making acupuncture an adequate care method for treating SAD.

Get the Best Care for Your Seasonal Affective Disorder

Winter is a beautiful season for many people. It's a season with several major holidays and making snow people and snow angels! But, the lack of sunlight and somewhat gloomy landscape can impact our mental health.

Fast Relief Acupuncture has several of the best acupuncture treatments performed by skilled practitioners. If you're done feeling gloomy, tired, and sad, contact us today!

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is the result of damage to the optic nerve of the eye. Due to elevated pressure or build-up of fluid, the optic nerve gradually deteriorates, and blind spots develop in the visual field. Furthermore, glaucoma is considered the leading cause of blindness among the senior population. This disease category encompasses many eye conditions that can affect a person without warning.

However, glaucoma doesn't only affect the elderly. Infants or children can be diagnosed with glaucoma at birth or even in the early stages of life. Underlying medical conditions in such cases may damage the optic nerve. African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics are more prone to the disease. In addition, conditions such as eye trauma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, and heart disease can contribute to glaucoma.

Oftentimes, vision changes may come on gradually, and individuals don't realize the danger until the disease is in its advanced stage.

Signs and causes of glaucoma

Modern medicine does not know precisely the reasons for the fluid pressure buildup that can cause nerve damage and lead to glaucoma. However, a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, contributes to keeping your eyes healthy. Symptoms of glaucoma vary greatly and depend on the individual's particular condition.

It's essential to promptly consult your doctor or even go to the emergency room as glaucoma will cause blindness if left untreated. If glaucoma runs in your family, get regular check-ups as the condition is genetic.

Treatment for glaucoma

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Because the effects of glaucoma are irreversible and lead to blindness, seniors must have regular eye exams and appropriate testing.

If caught early, glaucoma symptoms can be managed or even prevented. But, once diagnosed, the condition requires lifelong treatment and management. Doctors can lower eye pressure and manage glaucoma with medications, prescription eye drops, and sometimes laser/microsurgery. 

How can acupuncture help? 

Acupuncture is particularly beneficial in patients with glaucoma. Since acupuncture increases the blood flow in the arteries, the treatment optimizes brain and eye pressure.

Researchers at the Department of ophthalmology at the University Hospital in Dresden, Germany, determined positive short-term effects of acupuncture in regulating blood flow. The results were consistent and promised exponential improvement, particularly in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Find the best acupuncture treatment

Acupuncture will provide sensory stimulation that has shown great promise for slowing down symptom progression and even reversing.

Your acupuncturist will determine the appropriate meridians for the treatment depending on your particular condition. Contact Fast Relief Acupuncture today to learn more about treatment and your specific options.

What is Dry-Eye Disease

Dry-eye disease is a common condition when the eyes are not lubricated. Typically, dry-eye disease is caused by reduced tear production or excessive tear evaporation. This imbalance can lead to inflammation or even damage.

A healthy tear film is lubricated, clear, and smooth in texture. Fatty oils, aqueous fluid, and mucus comprise the layers of a healthy tear film. While various causes can disrupt the tear film, the most typical reasons are inflammation, allergy, autoimmune diseases, and hormone changes.

Causes

Common causes of dry eyes include:

• Aging,
• Medical conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome, arthritis, scleroderma, lupus, sarcoidosis, vitamin deficiencies, and thyroid disorders),
• Medications,
• Corneal nerve insensitivity,
• Glenn dysfunction,
• Insufficient blinking,
• Allergies, and
• Environmental conditions.

Women, contact lens wearers, and those with an imbalanced diet are particularly susceptible to dry-eye disease. In addition, excessive exposure and improper computer screen placement (above eye level) can negatively impact the condition.

Symptoms and treatment for dry eyes

Typical dry-eye symptoms include

• Stinging
• Burning
• Excessive mucus,
• Light sensitivity,
• Blurred vision
• Eye redness
• High fatigue/pain
• Watery eyes (body's response to irritation)

Excessive symptoms happen due to consistent exposure to forced air, air conditioning, wind, or computer screen usage.

Treatment typically entails lifestyle changes, medication, and eyedrops. Common lifestyle changes will require monitoring humidity, protective eyewear, avoiding eyestrain/smoking, and artificial tears. Consult your doctor if you have continuing or excessive symptoms to prevent long-term damage. Your doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam, measure your tears' volume/quality, and check the pH levels.

How can acupuncture help?

Alternative medicine can provide great insight into treating dry-eye disease. By improving blood circulation, acupuncture normalizes fluid balance and improves organ function. This process will assist with unclogging the oil glands and, in that way, liberate tear production. In addition, through endorphin release, acupuncture relieves pain and any discomfort. Many patients report considerable improvement and relief after just a few acupuncture sessions. Given the enormous benefits, risks are few in between. To ensure a safe environment and maximize benefits, it is essential to find a qualified and experienced acupuncturist.

Find the best acupuncture treatments

To ensure your treatment's effectiveness, contact Fast Relief Acupuncture NOW!. Our trained acupuncturists will determine the best treatment regimen by thoroughly evaluating your symptoms and history. You are just one call away from experiencing the relief and support that our experienced practitioners will offer.