ontheedgeofeverything

In yesterday’s post, I discussed acupuncture and provided a generalized synopsis of what it entails and some of the benefits it offers. I’ve had acupuncture done on my neck twice now since getting whiplash, which is what inspired the subject matter of yesterday’s and today’s post, but prior to a few weeks ago, I had never tried it.

Like most things in life, there are pros and cons to everything, and acupuncture is no exception to this rule. I, therefore, thought it would be helpful to discuss some of the positives and negatives that can transpire from acupuncture, with this information coming from hopkinsmedicine.org.

Here is a more in-depth explanation of the origins of acupuncture: “Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM is a system of healthcare that has evolved over thousands of years to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. TCM believes that the body’s vital energy, called qi (pronounced chi), flows along specific channels or meridians. If the qi is balanced then the person has spiritual, emotional, and physical health. But when the qi isn’t in balance, disease may occur. Qi can be blocked, causing unbalance between the yin and yang. This refers to two opposite but connected principles in Chinese philosophy TCM uses many approaches to create harmony between yin and yang and restore correct flow of energy through the meridians. One of these approaches is acupuncture,” says hopkinsmedicine.org.

I listed a few benefits of acupuncture in yesterday’s post, so it is only fair to also list the cons. This information comes from nhs.uk.

“Some people experience mild, short-term side effects such as:

• pain where the needles puncture the skin
• bleeding or bruising where the needles puncture the skin
• drowsiness
• feeling sick
• feeling dizzy or faint

“Serious side effects such as a punctured lung or infection are very rare. If you have a bleeding disorder, such as haemophilia, or are taking any medicines such as anticoagulant medicine, talk to your GP or acupuncture practitioner before you have acupuncture.  Acupuncture is also not usually advised if you have a metal allergy or an infection in the area where needles may be inserted. It’s generally safe to have acupuncture when you’re pregnant. However, let your acupuncture practitioner know if you’re pregnant because certain acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy,” nhs.uk explains.

If you’re still unsure if acupuncture is right for you, consult with your physician.

Photo by Kimiya Sabbaghan on Unsplash