From pain management to stress reduction, the positive health benefits of acupuncture are rapidly being recognized by the medical community and the public. Extensive research has shown that patients can experience not only physical relief, but also an improved state of mind and a more balanced emotional state after acupuncture sessions.

In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for more than 43 conditions under nine major health categories, including, but not limited to:

• Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Allergies and respiratory problems like asthma
• Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia
• Tennis elbow, sprains, and injury related pain
• Hypertension and hypotension
• Knee, low back, and neck pain, as well as sciatica
• Dysmenorrhea
• Headache and migraine
• Nausea, vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and morning sickness
• Postoperative pain, facial pain, and dental pain

So, if you have been hoping to enhance your health this year, finding a highly trained acupuncturist with a degree from an accredited university could be just what you need to get the relief you’ve been waiting for—without the use of pharmaceuticals or invasive procedures.

The Numerous Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is making waves in the world of complementary and alternative health care, and for good reason. Many patients experience incredible results when they see a professional acupuncturist and receive the appropriate treatments. Despite the National Institutes of Health (NIH) determination that this natural treatment is safe and effective, there are still misconceptions that have left many people unclear about the benefits of acupuncture and how it can improve their health.

So, what does acupuncture do for your body?

Acupuncture stimulates the body’s healing processes, making it a valuable component of an integrative health care plan. Although there are various methods that can be used to stimulate acupressure points throughout the body, acupuncture involves the insertion of sterile, fine needles into a patient’s skin. Heat, electrical stimulation and additional pressure can also be added to the needles to boost their effects on the body.

When placed at the appropriate points, acupuncture needles help to release blocked energy, called qi (pronounced “chee”), throughout the body so that function can be restored to everything from the digestive and cardiovascular systems, to the immune, endocrine and nervous systems.

The results of this balanced energy flow can include better sleep, elevated mood, enhanced digestion, reduced pain and an improved sense of wellness. These health benefits of acupuncture are incredibly valuable for individuals looking to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

You can even boost the benefits of acupuncture by combining it with other natural healing techniques such as chiropractic adjustments, massages and movement exercises like Tai Chi, as well as using herbal remedies and making dietary changes.

Becoming an Acupuncturist

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, complementary and alternative health care is expected to continue to grow for many years to come. You may be surprised to learn that acupuncture practitioners are increasingly working not only in their own practices, but integratively with traditional medical teams in many hospitals and medical practices.

If you’re interested in helping others realize the health benefits of acupuncture, pursuing a career as an acupuncturist might be right for you. Students in National University of Health Science’s (NUHS) Acupuncture program work alongside students in other health care fields such as chiropractic, naturopathic and herbal medicine.

Importantly, National University combines Western and Eastern science by including fundamental biomedical science and modern medical diagnostics that prepare graduates to be successful acupuncture specialists. This rigorous education includes the unique opportunity to experience dissection of human cadavers. In fact, National University is one of the first schools in the world with acupuncture and herbal medicine programs that incorporated the dissection of cadavers for acupuncture point and meridian studies.

Understanding both perspectives is fundamental to whole health healing and better patient-centered care. NUHS students become comprehensive, full-body diagnosticians, evaluating and recommending treatments based on each patient’s history and symptoms.