Spring is right around the corner! Can you believe it? With the change of the seasons comes a lot of shifts within our bodies. Have you ever noticed you might be a little more sluggish or perhaps a bit down during certain times of the year? The changing of the seasons can play a role in how you feel both emotionally and physically.

The good news is acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive way to treat those symptoms, along with others. The folks at livescience described this process well by saying:

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is linked to the belief that disease is caused by disruptions to the flow of energy, or qi, in the body. Acupuncture stimulates points on or under the skin called acupuncture points or acupressure points, releasing this qi. The qi then travels through channels called meridians, according to the Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota.

Beyond the traditional Chinese medicine beliefs, it has been proven time and again that acupuncture offers scientifically proven benefits. In this day and age a lot of people have a tendency to turn to various websites, looking for a cure to what ails them. Instead of diagnosing yourself with one of the millions of ailments listed on the web, why not try a session of acupuncture. Just last week I had a client (who gave me permission to post this) feel immediate relief from her lower back pain, as well a release of the extreme tightness she experiences in her lungs due to an autoimmune disease. We also did points for seasonal allergies and her itchy eyes are doing much better now!

I am really excited to have the ability to help my clients find a healthy and non-invasive way to find relief from their discomfort. I would love to talk to you about how I can help you, too! Until then, Happy Spring!

If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain, Acupuncture may help! Chronic pain can stem from a previous injury, manifest due to an autoimmune disease or because of many other reasons. Stacey Keay is trained to help find beneficial solutions to ease your pain. With regular treatments, many patients find that in addition to pain decreasing, they see an increase in the ability to sleep and have a better sense of well-being overall.

So how does this process work, you ask? Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles at specific points on the body to strengthen, stimulate, and relieve various symptoms. In Chinese medicine, the belief is that there is energy (Qi) constantly moving through the body. Energy can get blocked, which causes imbalance and disharmony, and illness can occur as a result. The goal of acupuncture treatment is aimed at moving blockages and stagnation, and it promotes a smooth, appropriate flow of energy through the body.

When it comes to chronic pain sufferers, Acupuncture has the ability to unblock energy within the body that may be causing pain.

However, we do live in a science-based world, and everyone is beginning to understand how acupuncture works within that realm. When we experience a stressful thought or event, our bodies produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. As a result the heart beats faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, and our breath quickens. This is the “fight or flight” response, and it helps us stay focused and alert in emergencies. Unfortunately, over time the “fight or flight” response can stop being helpful and can cause damage to the mind and body.

Acupuncture activates the nervous system, initiating a cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters that influence the body's own internal regulating systems. This promotes health and healing. During an acupuncture treatment, the body goes from the flight or fight response that coincides with pain and stress, to a restorative state. This leads to a deep state of calm that effects the rest of the day, and often for many days following.

Tests show that acupuncture:

promotes blood flow
relieves pain
reduces inflammation
restores homeostasis (internal conditions within the body)

Do you have questions about chronic pain relief with acupuncture? Contact Stacey to discuss acupuncture options that can help!

Hello Spring!

Acupuncture & Chronic Pain Relief