Benefits of Habitual Acupuncture

As a doctor of acupuncture, I understand that most people are very comfortable with western medicine and ideas. Therefore, when patients seek out acupuncture, I try to make it very clear that acupuncture is something that helps immediately, and more importantly cumulatively helps. For example, if a patient comes in with an acutely sprained ankle, we can help them manage their pain in those first few sessions. On the other hand, if a patient comes in with chronic pain and inflammation, they will experience relief after one session but they will benefit most from a treatment plan of several sessions at an appropriate cadence for them. Acupuncture is meant to be used in this way; the biggest benefits arise from continual treatment.

A recent study explored the effects of acupuncture on pain response in areas of the brain. While observing the brain through fMRI, stimulation was used at multiple intervals over the course of an acupuncture treatment. The results showed that there was the most reaction in the brain receptors during the first round of stimulation, as was expected. Over the course of the treatment, the activity slowed and eventually turned into negative readings, meaning that the receptors in the brain were no longer reading the stimulation as pain/ discomfort.

This study shows us two important findings for how acupuncture helps with pain management:

First, pain subsides immediately following treatment, at least for a short period of time. The needles help to promote blood flow and provide an anti-inflammatory effect that helps manage pain in the short-term following an appointment.

Secondly, it sheds light on how the same stimulation or treatment over time can reduce the pain response in the brain. This means that for chronic pain management, long-term, or recurring, acupuncture treatments compound to provide a more lasting relief from your pain.