The purpose of holistic therapy is to use natural methods to promote sobriety. Acupuncture is an example of a natural healing technique that has been used for many years around the world. In fact, it has been used to treat a wide range of health problems. One of the most common reasons why acupuncture is used during the treatment of addiction is to help with relaxation, stress and pain reduction. This is because stress often exacerbates pain. If you experience anxiety and depression, acupuncture may be a good solution. However, it probably will not negate the need for medication to treat your addiction. Notably, there is a good chance that acupuncture will result in the need for less medication. Let’s take a look at how acupuncture is used in a holistic therapy center.
About Acupuncture for Holistic Therapy
Acupuncture originated in China as a method of healing focused on manipulating different parts of the body to treat health issues. The traditional method of acupuncture involves inserting thin, long and sterilized needles at different points into the skin. This is for the purpose of stimulating the healing process. Methods used for acupuncture have expanded over the years. In fact, now it includes heat therapy, massage and cupping, among other techniques. It’s believed that acupuncture works by balancing your body’s energy, which is known as “Qi.” Since acupuncture has been studied for many years, there is a better understanding of how and
why it works. It’s primarily because the different systems in the body are stimulated. Stimulation of the following systems is believed to produce positive results:
- Immune system
- Cardiovascular system
- Nervous system
- Endocrine system
- Digestive system
Addiction impacts the entire body, including your mental and physical health. The goal of acupuncture is to restore balance in the body as a way to manage some of the symptoms of addiction. Specifically, acupuncture is known to help with the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays an important role in your brain. The release of dopamine and other chemicals in your body can help with managing the emotional and physical pain that’s often associated with addiction.
It can also help with withdrawals during treatment for addiction. In other words, dopamine can naturally reduce pain while treating addiction. The process of using acupuncture in a holistic therapy center will involve an evaluation of your health history. This includes how long you’ve been addicted and how it has impacted your physical health. There will also be an evaluation of your stress and pain levels during the process. As previously mentioned, there are different types of acupuncture techniques that are specifically for the purpose of treating pain.
In some cases, ointments or creams will be used on your skin prior to the treatment. The timeframe for acupuncture will vary from one person to another because every situation is different. However, the insertion of needles is consistently slow, which reduces your chance of experiencing pain. The amount of time the needles remain in your skin can vary greatly.
However, the average amount of time is approximately 15 minutes. Depending on the technique used, it’s possible that the needles will be heated and manipulated in a way that will optimize the effectiveness of the procedure. There’s a possibility that several acupuncture treatments will be performed over a period of one week. It’s important to understand that acupuncture generally isn’t a painful procedure.
In fact, some people enjoy the process and find it relaxing. Although acupuncture is often used for holistic therapy, you should understand that it’s often coupled with other treatment methods for addiction. In many cases, acupuncture is a supplemental or secondary treatment. For instance, a decision might be made to use acupuncture to help relieve or minimize withdrawal symptoms as previously mentioned.
This might be done while tapering medication. When used at a holistic therapy center, it’s possible for acupuncture to provide comfort. Since there is no one-size-fits-all solution when treating addiction, a decision will be made based on your needs. It’s important to recognize that multiple types of treatment may be necessary to achieve the desired results. This is why you’ll want to speak with one of our counselors to learn more about the different options that are available. If you’re ready to get started, contact us today for more information at 877-270-6226. We’re here to help and answer any questions you have.
