Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that has been around for thousands of years, most often used for pain relief. It consists of inserting thin needles into the body in a variety of positions, with the intention to stimulate the central nervous system which will in turn trigger biochemical changes in the body that promote physical and emotional wellbeing.
But what issues can the art of acupuncture actually assist with? Read on to find out.
The areas that the needles are inserted into are called acupuncture points, or acupoints for short. They are located all over the body, with pictographs of common acupoints dating back thousands of years and saying the body has over 2000. With modern day research, The World Health Organisation has reduced this high number down to 361. These points all work by stimulating the central nervous system, helping to release chemicals into the brain, tissue and spinal cord.
Acupuncture is commonly used to treat migraines and headaches. The needles are inserted into various pressure points, commonly near nerves. The needles help to stimulate the nerves and produce hormones such as endorphins, which can help reduce the effects of a headache. If the symptoms are very severe, it may be best trying more traditional treatments for migraines.
Acupuncture is a great complementary treatment that works side by side with dentistry to help with a range of problems. For example if you have a severe gag reflex, it can be hard to perform dentistry on you without triggering it. Acupuncture can help control the gag reflex, reducing the discomfort of patients while dental treatment takes place, allowing them to have treatments that might not be possible otherwise.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is an issue that can affect the joint connecting your lower jaw to your skull, causing pain and fatigue. This pain can then spread to your neck and shoulders if left untreated. Acupuncture can help to minimise this pain by targeting specific points.
If you’re looking for acupuncture as an alternative complementary medicine to go along with dentistry, get in touch today with Manor Road Dental Practise in Swansea. We specialise in using fine needles to help with the treatment of various physical and mental conditions including dental anxiety, acute pain and the gag reflex.
We offer an initial consultation to discuss and assess what kind of dental acupuncture you may require and then implement the acupuncture ourselves. Get in touch today on 01792 653826 to talk through your situation with one of our team, or
visit our website now to explore the full range of dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics we offer.