In some rehab treatment programs, acupuncture plays a significant role in healing from substance abuse and related mental problems. However, this ancient Chinese healing practice is more than just the insertion of fine needles to relieve pain. Acupuncture therapy actually helps you in many ways, both for your recovery and well beyond.
About Acupuncture Therapy
More than 2500 years ago, Chinese medical practitioners started using fine needles inserted into specific parts of the body to relieve pain, prevent disease, and diagnose and treat health problems. Overall, the practice is believed to improve your health and well-being.
According to Chinese medicine, acupuncture therapy changes your flow of energy within your body. This “chi” or “qi” as they call it, is not proven through modern science.
However, using acupuncture therapy needles is proven to change the chemical activity within your body, such as for your amino acids in the skin. Through these changes, you feel pain relief after injury or inflammation. You also experience mental health changes, such as a sense of calmness, eased depression, and lower anxiety, when the therapist works with the needles on specific areas. It’s a unique part of any holistic therapy program.
How Acupuncture Therapy Helps You Recover
An acupuncture therapy program in a quality rehab center promotes and restores your energy balance to help with a range of addiction recovery-related disorders. These include anxiety, depression, digestive issues, pain, and physical disease. The therapy also helps with migraines, breathing problems like sinusitis and asthma, and fatigue.
According to U.S. based studies, acupuncture helps with physical problems that possibly led you into addiction through painkiller abuse. These problems include back pain, dental pain, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. It also helps in the treatment of emotional pain like PTSD. When used with talk therapy and other approaches, acupuncture certainly adds to your line of defense against relapse.
What to Expect During Your Needle Therapy
When you take part in an acupuncture therapy program, this method starts with a full health history. You answer questions designed to help the therapist understand how energy flows in your body. They also examine your tongue, feel your pulse, inquire about your diet and explore other subjects that likely seem unrelated to your substance abuse. However, be patient in this, as the therapist is working to build a foundation of knowledge about your specific needs.
When the actual acupuncture therapy program begins, the therapist inserts fine needles into specific parts of your body. You will not feel pain from these needles. You might feel a quick stinging sensation if anything at all. Sometimes the acupuncturist uses heat or electricity in combination with needles to meet your healing and energy balance needs.
Acupuncture and Other Therapies for Your Best Recovery
When you want recovery from drugs or alcohol, you need a mix of therapies and approaches to find what works best for your greatest strength and lasting sobriety. Many people find healing and hope through holistic therapy program methods. Of course, these methods do not work alone. You need a combined approach that includes talk therapy and medical care, too.
At Memphis Recovery Centers in Memphis, TN, acupuncture therapy takes place as part of a well-rounded and highly individualized treatment program. These programs include:
- Residential rehab
- PHP and IOP step-down programs
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Trauma therapy
For the real hope you need for a brighter future, call Memphis Recovery now at 901-272-7751. Talk to a counselor about your addiction and ask whether acupuncture therapy is right for you.
