Advantages of Integrating Chiropractic and Acupuncture

One of the biggest buzzwords in health and wellness industries in recent decades has been integrative: when we speak of integrative medicine we are referring to a method or practice intended to treat the whole person by combining traditional methods with alternative therapies. This type of patient treatment might mean managing the pain of arthritis with a combination of prescription medication alongside acupuncture; it might mean addressing lower back pain with a combination of medication and chiropractic adjustments.

In some cases, patients can benefit from both acupuncture and chiropractor adjustments. If you are wondering if this approach would work for you, read on to discover the advantages of integrating chiropractic care and acupuncture.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method whereby thin needles are inserted into the skin at specific points to relieve pain and other symptoms of various health conditions. The theory behind acupuncture is that it focuses on the flow of qi ("chee") energy throughout the body.

Acupuncturists work with the goal of stimulating the nervous system and immune system. The needle placements are designed to rebalance the energy flow in your body, changing the way you react to illnesses and other health problems.

The needle insertion also prompts the release of endorphins, which work in our bodies to help manage pain and symptoms of illness. Each tiny prick of a needle is for an acupuncturist a park of a specific design and targeted toward patient relief.

While the idea of needles is enough to make some people immediately queasy, bear in mind these specific needles are incredibly thin and cause less pain than a standard finger prick in a doctor's office or a flu shot. Most patients feel minimal discomfort during an acupuncture session; they may describe a slight pricking sensation, but it is generally tolerated well by most people.

How Does Acupuncture Complement Chiropractic Treatment?

Acupuncture and chiropractic care have a considerable amount of overlap when it comes to the conditions they are used to treat. Many people think of chiropractic treatment as a solution for back pain only. While it is true that chiropractors focus heavily on the spine, and back or neck pain is the chief complaint that brings most clients their way, this is not their only area of focus.

Spinal adjustments (like acupuncture) can benefit the body in many ways beyond just pain relief. Chiropractic care can play a significant role in overall health, and acupuncture is often touted as a similarly effective method for not only managing pain but also improving wellness in general.

Because each patient's circumstances and health are unique, not everyone responds the same way to treatments. The spinal adjustments that relieve one person's headaches may not be as effective for another's; the acupuncture that minimizes the pain of arthritis in one patient may not always be replicated in every case. This is why so many providers in the health and wellness industry understand the value of integrating chiropractic and acupuncture.

Usually it takes some amount of trial and error to effectively address an illness or chronic pain. This could mean combinations of everything from prescription medication to physical therapy to meditation and yoga. Chiropractic care and acupuncture are especially appealing in terms of treatment strategies for pain in that they mitigate the addiction risks associated with some prescription pain medications, and they are generally safe for most adults.

Advantages of Integrating Chiropractic and Acupuncture

The main advantage of integrating chiropractic and acupuncture is that in almost all cases, the patient sees an increase in relief from pain and it is longer lasting. Chiropractic and acupuncture can be used together to address a wide range of conditions, including

• Arthritis
• Sports-related injuries
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Back and neck pain
• Headaches

By integrating acupuncture alongside chiropractic techniques, patients often experience benefits ranging from minimized pain to improved immune systems and from increased mobility to reduced stress and anxiety.

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