Acupuncture Therapy

At Oasis, our clients have the option to receive the relaxing, healing benefits of acupuncture on a weekly basis. 

What is Acupuncture Therapy?

Acupuncture therapy is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body in order to relieve pain, promote healing, and balance the body’s natural energy. It has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments. Moreover, scientific evidence suggests that it can also help relieve chronic pain, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and digestive disorders, and also stimulate brain activity and improve mental health.

The word “acupuncture” comes from the Latin words “ac” (meaning “to cut”) and “uncula” (meaning “little needles”). “Acupuncture is a type of manual medicine that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific parts of the body,” says Dr. Andrew Vainik, a board certified family practice physician. The procedure is believed to help cure disease by manipulating the flow of energy in the meridians.

Types of Acupuncture Therapy

There are a few different types of acupuncture therapy. They all involve the use of small needles that are gently inserted into the body’s meridians (energy channels) at specific points. The needles are usually left in place for around 20 minutes.

1. During traditional acupuncture therapy, the practitioner uses acupuncture needles that are about a centimeter in length and are slightly thicker than human hair.
2. Neurofunctional (or medical) acupuncture acknowledges that traditional acupuncture is dated and instead draws more from current scientific reasoning about how the body works. Medical acupuncture relies on knowledge of neuroanatomical structures. Because of its neuroanatomical basis, meridians could end up being a significant biological tool to combat illnesses, pain, and other problems in the future. 
3. During electro-acupuncture, the needles are connected to a device that generates pulses of electrical energy. Electro-acupuncture is usually administered through a small device that is placed on the patient’s skin for about five minutes.

How Does Acupuncture Therapy Work?

Acupuncture therapy works by targeting the body’s natural pain-killing, or analgesic, pathways to reduce inflammation and reduce pain. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, which are chemical compounds that have similar effects as morphine in relieving pain. According to clinical studies, acupuncture therapy targets both the physical and emotional aspects of a painful experience at once: it relaxes the muscles surrounding the affected area to relieve pressure and tension, while also reducing anxiety about the pain.

There is a plethora of evidence showing the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy in treating addictions, from giving addicts a second chance at life to helping them recover faster than ever before. 

How Acupuncture Therapy Works in Treating Addiction

One of the main reasons why acupuncture is being studied for its use as an effective treatment for addictions is its ability to balance the nervous system. The two nervous systems in the human body are the “sensory” and the “nerve” systems. When someone is addicted to substances, the sensory system—the part that allows the person to feel sensation from drugs—is likely to be greatly out of balance. The same is likely to be true of the nerve system as well, which is responsible for sending messages to different parts of the brain.

One of the most common uses of acupuncture for substance abuse treatment is to treat withdrawal symptoms. While most medicines that treat drug addictions work by stopping the brain’s reward circuitry from receiving the chemicals associated with drugs, acupuncture is believed to work by restoring this balance. 

Apart from relieving withdrawal symptoms, acupuncture is also believed to tackle the underlying issues that may be behind your addiction in the first place. For example, if you have an addiction to drugs or alcohol as a way to deal with emotional or mental issues, then acupuncture can help. The fact is that many people turn to substances to self-medicate, and acupuncture may be able to help to treat those underlying issues.

Top 4 Meridians for Addiction Treatment

Meridians are said to spiritually connect the human body with the organs, which are said to be very important in the healing process. While there are many different meridians in the human body, they are most frequently seen in the head, neck, kidneys, lungs, heart, stomach, liver, small intestine, and large intestine.

If you want to learn more about how to use acupuncture to treat addictions, you should familiarize yourself with these meridians below:

• The Ren Meridian is most commonly used for treatment of addiction, as it helps to balance the emotions and mental well-being. If an individual is in considerable emotional pain or experiencing severe stress, the Ren meridian can play a key role in healing.
• The Spine Meridian is very effective for treating addictions and other psychological issues related to the mind and emotions. If someone is grappling with anxiety or has significant levels of anxiety, the Spine meridian can help to alleviate these feelings. 
• The Large Intestine Meridian is one of the most common meridians used for treatment of addiction. This meridian is said to be very effective at treating the physical effects of substance abuse and opiate withdrawal. 
• The Kidney Meridian is also commonly used for treatment of addictions, especially those that affect the urinary tract. This meridian is said to be effective at treating urinary tract infections, incontinence, and other issues that arise from poor kidney function.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Addiction Treatment

Apart from being an effective treatment for a range of physical and psychological symptoms linked to addiction, acupuncture has also been shown to improve patients’ overall health as well. This includes reducing blood pressure and improving one’s heart rate after just a few sessions of treatment. Regular sessions of acupuncture are also believed to have a positive impact on the immune system, helping to prevent disease, pain, and insomnia, and maintain a healthy state of wellbeing.

In 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed 64 medical problems that were considered suitable for acupuncture treatment, including the treatment of drug abuse. Acupuncture treatment for addiction recovery has been researched extensively and has proven positive outcomes, such as reducing substance cravings, easing withdrawal symptoms, easing physical pain, promoting relaxation and better rest, reducing stress levels, and more. There is also strong evidence to suggest that acupuncture can help to prevent relapse into substance use disorders after someone has recovered.

Acupuncture Therapy at Oasis 

Acupuncture therapy sessions at Oasis are gender-specific and facilitated by a highly trained, professional local acupuncturist, following proper sanitizing protocols and safety precautions. Acupuncture therapy as a healing modality for addiction recovery has been researched extensively and has proven to provide positive outcomes, such as reducing substance cravings, easing withdrawal symptoms, easing physical pain, promoting relaxation and better rest, reducing stress levels, and more. 

At Oasis Recovery, we are invested in providing effective, quality care to all of our clients. To ensure that every client’s individual needs are being met, our treatment specialists work with clients to create a treatment plan that is best suited to them. If you are interested in learning more about our optional acupuncture therapy, call us today! Our addiction specialists will be happy to answer any questions you may have and get you started on your journey to lifelong sobriety.