Who is an acupuncturist, and what do they do?
An acupuncturist specializes in traditional Chinese acupuncture techniques to alleviate pain and symptoms of specific health conditions. They use very fine needles to puncture the skin strategically to stimulate muscles, nerves, and connective tissue. This rebalances the body's energy and forces it to release natural chemicals to fight symptoms or illnesses.
While some studies have confirmed acupuncture's effectiveness against specific medical conditions, doctors generally advise using it as a supplemental therapy. You may still need other medical treatments to help treat any underlying diseases, with acupuncture helping maintain overall well-being by relieving stress and managing chronic pain.
People can benefit from acupuncture if they experience the following:
- Nerve discomfort, such as facial pain
- Sports injuries
- Menstrual cramps
- Knee pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Neck pain, back pain, and muscle pain
- Arthritis
How is acupuncture carried out?
Different acupuncturists have their unique style when it comes to performing acupuncture. Some may strictly stick to eastern techniques, while others prefer a blend of eastern and western methods.
When you visit an acupuncturist near you, they may ask specific questions or examine your body to learn more about you and help them decide how to approach you for your treatment. They may enquire about the following:
- Your lifestyle and behavior
- Symptoms you're facing
- The body parts that are in pain
They may also study your pulse to learn about its strength, rhythm, and quality, along with checking the color of your face and the color, coating, and shape of your tongue for further signs of your condition.
After an initial assessment, they will decide how long your treatment will last. It depends on your condition or its severity. Generally, a treatment plan may include acupuncture once or twice a week, lasting up to sixty minutes per session.
The acupuncturist will begin the treatment by inserting thin needles at various depths. This will not cause extreme pain, but may feel slightly uncomfortable. Mild aching sensations are expected, with up to 20 needles being inserted at different points. The acupuncturist gently twirls or moves the needles after reaching the correct depth to stimulate the points. They may also apply mild electrical pulses or heat on the needles, which are removed after ten to fifteen minutes.
Can acupuncture help treat insomnia? Is it safe?
Insomnia can lead to sleep deprivation, poor sleep quality, fatigue, cognitive decline, stress, feelings of inefficiency, and anxiety. While medications to combat it are available, long-term drug use may cause patients to experience side effects such as dry mouth, headache, dizziness, and abnormal taste. Acupuncture has been shown in numerous studies to be effective in treating insomnia.
According to a PubMed review titled Efficacy Comparison of Different Acupuncture Treatments for Primary Insomnia: A Bayesian Analysis, acupuncture treatments effectively treat primary insomnia. As per 42 studies, the most effective treatment is scalp acupuncture, followed by electroacupuncture combined with scalp acupuncture. An acupuncturist may also consider performing warm and conventional acupuncture to treat primary insomnia.
A randomized controlled trial published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that acupuncture increased sleep duration better than medications. Furthermore, when combined with acupuncture, their efficacy can be heightened to improve sleep rates.
Acupuncturists believe acupuncture is safe in their clinical experience, as their patients have been observed sleeping better for several days and feeling calm. Acupuncture appointments should be limited to ten sessions for people with acute insomnia. Chronic insomnia, on the other hand, may necessitate ongoing treatment that includes more than one course.
Can an acupuncturist near me help me with mental health concerns?
Mental health challenges can throw your life off balance, affecting your emotions, relationships, and ability to handle daily stress. From depression and anxiety to OCD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, these issues touch lives worldwide and at every age.
Acupuncture offers a natural, holistic approach to mental well-being. By reducing muscle tension, enhancing digestive function, and lowering heart rate, acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety and promote a sense of calm and peace.
Acupuncture is also effective in tackling both chronic and acute depression. Many individuals have reported improved sleep patterns over time, which supports better overall health and metabolism and alleviates symptoms of depression.
After an acupuncture session, many people feel deeply relaxed and have a renewed sense of well-being. This relaxation can help combat symptoms of chronic stress linked to depression and other mental health issues.
Acupuncture works wonders by triggering the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, which help reduce pain and increase the circulation of lymphatic fluids and blood. This process enhances oxygen delivery to tissues and ensures they receive the nutrients for optimal function.
Moreover, acupuncture promotes eliminating waste products. It boosts oxygen levels in the body, further aiding in healing.
Acupuncture helps manage the physical symptoms of stress by reducing the amount of cortisol, the primary stress hormone in the body, and lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
Additionally, research has shown that acupuncture can positively influence blood pressure and heart rate. It also supports the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates the body's stress response, offering lasting relief from chronic stress.
What is the role of acupuncture in dental disorder management?
The most known dental disorders are dental anxiety and pain. In a review titled NIH Consensus Conference, acupuncture demonstrated promising results in managing postoperative dental pain. According to a journal published in SAGE Journal, the dental pulp and the periodontium around it contain a complex network of nerve fibers and stimuli that stimulate these nerve endings and cause pain to be induced fast. The best way to deal with dental pain is to figure out what is causing it (such as gingival irritation or caries) and then treat it with analgesics if necessary.
Dental discomfort can be treated by using local acupuncture sites like ST6 jiache and ST7 xiaguan on the face and distant points like LI4 hegu that connect to the maxillary and mandibular teeth through the stomach and large intestine meridians, which converge in the face region. Acupuncture might be an excellent drug alternative because it has no adverse side effects. Several studies using auricular acupuncture to treat chronic and acute dental anxiety have yielded promising outcomes. A randomized controlled trial comparing auricular acupuncture to intranasal midazolam for treating dental anxiety showed that both approaches were highly beneficial.
Does acupuncture help ease menopausal symptoms?
Acupuncture may help with several symptoms of menopause, like mood swings, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, fatigue, pain, and night sweats. It is a viable choice for women who cannot use hormone treatment. According to a study, women who got needling procedures experienced reduced hot flashes, fewer sleep problems, fewer skin and hair issues, and controlled emotional and physical symptoms.
Some women may use acupuncture to treat hot flashes, a potentially debilitating condition without long-term health risks. Women should opt for it with a thorough awareness of the evidence, including strengths and flaws, of both medical therapy and acupuncture.
According to another review titled Acupuncture for Menopausal Hot Flushes, women with acupuncture treatment showed less intense flushness. In the report titled, Acupuncture in Menopause (AIM) Study: A Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled Trial by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, researchers found that acupuncture can lower the frequency and severity of hot flashes while improving health-related quality of life.
How to find the best acupuncturists near you in Phoenix?
It can be challenging to find an acupuncturist who can assist you in navigating the difficulties caused by conditions such as depression, anxiety, migraines, dental disorders, menopause, and hot flashes. Furthermore, mutual understanding with your provider is also critical to recovery. Zocdoc is committed to matching patients with the best providers who suit their needs.
With Zocdoc, you can instantly book an appointment with a top acupuncturist near you in real-time. If you need clarification on your insurance, you can use the Zocdoc insurance checker. If you prefer to keep your insurance information private from your healthcare provider, Zocdoc offers flexible options. When booking an appointment, you'll be prompted to provide your insurance details or confirm that you'll pay out of pocket.
It's important to note that some providers may require insurance information to schedule an appointment. If you don't have insurance or prefer not to use it, you can search for another provider on Zocdoc that accommodates your preference. For more insurance-related questions, visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
The top-rated acupuncturists in Phoenix all appear in Zocdoc's comprehensive directory. You can also read through thousands of verified customer reviews.
Create a free account on Zocdoc, and select the condition, specialty, location, and timing. A complete list of acupuncturists near you based on your search criteria will appear. The provider pages on Zocdoc include their profiles that detail the acupuncturist's education, certifications, visit reasons, and top clinical interests that help you make a better decision.
You can also book video visits with an acupuncturist near you on Zocdoc. Filter the results for video visits or look for the purple video icon on the acupuncturist's profile. You can get quality care quickly by scheduling an appointment with an acupuncturist.
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Acupuncture and dental health in Arizona
According to a report published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the research thus far shows that acupuncture has real benefits in dentistry and may bring new hope to patients with dental discomforts that traditional treatment approaches cannot manage.
According to America's Health Rankings, in 2021, around 41.1% of adults over 25 with less than a high school diploma and 53.7% with at least a high school diploma considered dental visits important in the same year. Adult Arizona females (64.4%) had more dental visits than adult Arizona males (57.9%). According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, about 22% of children with tooth decay, pain, or infection need dental treatment within 24 hours. Nearly 78% of children have early treatment needs and require dental care within the next several weeks.
According to a public health report titled Dental Caries Prevalence and Treatment Levels in Arizona Preschool Children, out of nearly 994 children examined, approximately 6.4% of 1-year-olds, 20% of 2-year-olds, 35% of 3-year-olds, and 49% of 4-year-old Arizona children said they had caries. Moreover, there is less evidence of dental treatment.
Sources
National Center for Biotechnology Information[1]
National Center for Biotechnology Information[2]
National Center for Biotechnology Information[3]
National Center for Biotechnology Information[4]
PubMed[1]
PubMed[2]
PubMed[3]
VeryWell Health
Healthline
SAGE Journals
WebMD
Healthline
Arizona Department of Health Services
American Dental Association
National Center for Biotechnology Information
America’s Health Rankings
Cleveland Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Focus Physiotherapy
