You may have noticed lately that more and more people are turning to alternative medicine (or, Eastern medicine) in their search for health, wellness, and alleviation of their ailments.
But while some practices, like salt therapy, seem relaxing and even fun, other practices, like acupuncture, seem a little questionable (or even scary).
After all, who among us willingly volunteers (let alone, pays for) someone to stick needles into our skin?
But while acupuncture may sound a little troublesome (or simply uncomfortable) at first, many women (and men) claim that it’s been the solution to their pain, discomfort, or even simply their stress when nothing else was working.
In fact, acupuncture can even be used to help you reach that ultimate level of skin health and radiance that you hope to achieve.
Today, I’m getting to the point when it comes to all things acupuncture and skincare (get it, because needles have points?).
Keep reading for more about what exactly acupuncture is, how it can benefit you, and what to expect in your first session.
A little disclaimer before we begin: Ask your physician before trying acupuncture.
Your health and safety come first!
What Is Acupuncture?
You may have heard about other Chinese medicine therapies, like cupping.
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine and an important part of traditional Chinese medicine.
All styles of acupuncture currently practiced can be traced back to the Classic of Internal Medicine of the Yellow Emperor.
It dates back to around 100 B.C.
Certain points on your body (called acupuncture points or acupressure points) are stimulated by inserting a thin needle into the skin.
This is linked to the belief that disease and pain are caused by disruptions to the flow of energy (called Qi or “vital energy”) in the body.
The Qi then travels through channels that are called meridians.
According to Chinese medicine, the tongue has many connections to the meridians and the internal organs.
It can present visual indications of a person’s overall harmony or disharmony.
The goal of acupuncture is to manipulate the flow of Qi.
According to the University of Minnesota:
“The patient typically feels the Qi sensation locally around the needle site and then in adjacent areas, usually along the associated channel. It has been described as a dull, heavy, aching, or mildly electrical sensation that spreads in wave-like patterns. Most people do not find the Qi sensation to be painful or unpleasant, just unusual.”
A key philosophy of Chinese medicine is that one organ can affect another, and what affects one organ system can affect the whole body.
This relates to the theory of “yin and yang,” also a fundamental part of acupuncture.
When it comes to skincare, I do believe something very similar – that skincare is more than just our skin; it involves what we eat, how much we exercise, our stress level, and how much we sleep.
Sometimes the reason we can’t eradicate our skin issues, such as acne, is because we’re not looking at the big picture!
Also read Five Hair Tips In Just Five Minutes
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