Most of the time our patients come in because they have a health condition for which they want relief. Acupuncture is not only effective for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, it is also effective as preventive medicine, that is, health care used for the prevention of disease. Acupuncture is an excellent tool for promoting general health and reducing the prevalence of imbalances such as stress, irritability, insomnia, fatigue and the like.
Acupuncture has its place among other healthy lifestyle habits and therapies such as healthy eating, adequate sleep, moderate exercise, yoga, massage and mindfulness based stress reduction techniques. Instead of waiting until something feels “off” or “way off,” acupuncture on a regular or periodic basis such as weekly, bi-weekly or monthly can foster a sense of well-being, reduce tension and improve the body’s immune response. It’s relaxing and calming to the nervous system. When you consider the fact that many health problems are caused or worsened by stress (some examples include digestive disorders, muscle tension, insomnia, depression, anxiety, frequent common colds/lowered immune response and PMS), it makes sense that the use of acupuncture, which reduces stress, would also help to prevent illnesses and imbalances.