Acupuncture for Treating Addiction
The World Health Organization now recommends acupuncture therapy to help treat over 100 healthcare concerns including substance abuse. Acupuncture is known for its therapeutic effectiveness in treating addiction and other mental health disorders. Acupuncture is not a stand-alone treatment for addiction but can have benefits when used in conjunction with other therapies like counseling, detoxification, and other substance abuse therapies. Acupuncture, which originates from Chinese traditional medicine involves inserting special needles into distinct points on the body (Meridians), to help the body simulate the natural flow of energy while promoting holistic healing. Acupuncture can unblock these meridians. Studies have shown that it works best when coupled with other therapy practices.With that being said, there are a few specific areas that acupuncture can help with when dealing with addiction to drugs or alcohol which can include:
*Alcohol dependency and detoxification
*Depression
*Headaches
*Nausea and vomiting, insomnia, tobacco dependency
*Opioid, cocaine, and heroin dependence
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Acupuncture is known for its therapeutic effectiveness in treating addiction and other mental health disorders.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is rooted in the idea that the body has more than 2000 acupuncture points. These points are linked together through various meridians. The use of acupuncture in certain meridians is believed to improve your energy flow or qi by opening stagnant or blocked lines. The most used acupuncture technique for helping with addiction recovery is Auricular or ear acupuncture. This is where the acupuncture specialist inserts a special needle into a person’s ear and targets 5 specific areas.The benefits of acupuncture therapy in addiction treatment programs include:
*Helps improve pain management: Acupuncture is a powerful drug-free treatment option for reducing pain without the risks involved with using addictive pain medications.
*Helps reinforce mental health treatment: When someone enters into a treatment program for a co-occurring disorder like addiction with depression or anxiety acupuncture is a great additive to a traditional treatment plan to help the patient achieve a sense of calming and improved mood.
*Help restore normal sleeping patterns: When people are in recovery from insomnia, irregular sleeping patterns are very common. Acupuncture can help restore sleeping patterns and can enhance relaxation which are both essential for improving overall health.
*Reduces withdrawal symptoms: With the targeting of specific areas acupuncture can help reduce some of the withdrawal symptoms while detoxing from alcohol or drugs. It helps the flow of energy in the body flow freely to alleviate some of the discomfort during withdrawal.
*Reduces stress: Acupuncture promotes relaxation and in turn releases endorphins, to help the person better cope with stress and emotions during the recovery process. Stress and anxiety are some of the most common contributing factors that can lead to substance misuse problems.
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Acupoints
Acupuncture Therapy
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Erik Epp – Content Author
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