Acupuncture is known for containing a variety of real physical benefits, including loosening sore muscles, increasing flexibility, and removing pain. However, there are also real mental benefits of acupuncture. Indeed, the mental benefits of acupuncture are often under-discussed, and this means that people may miss out on the serious benefits that acupuncture can give in this area.
One of the chief mental benefits of acupuncture is that it can be deeply relaxing. Contrary to a popular myth, there is no pain associated with acupuncture. Most users barely feel the needles, as they are extremely thin. During an acupuncture session, you will be lying down and relaxed, giving you the chance to unwind. Studies have found that acupuncture can relieve stress, particularly by compressing certain energy points that have been typically associated with stress. This occurs because acupuncture is believed to assist in the release of GABA, an amino acid in your body that has been found to be associated with a variety of mental health and mood benefits.
The same hormones that can help remove stress can also help to limit the impact of depression and anxiety. It follows that acupuncture can cause hormonal changes in the body that can have real mental health benefits.
Pain and Mental Health
Perhaps the most studied area of acupuncture has been its benefits on pain relief, with numerous studies finding that acupuncture can produce pain relief that is both long-lasting and can impact multiple parts of your body. However, one of the often overlooked areas of acupuncture is the specific mental health and stress-relieving benefits that removing pain can have.
The mental benefits of acupuncture are largely so impactful, specifically because of acupuncture’s ability to limit and remove pain. It cannot be stated enough: Pain and depression or stress are inextricably linked. Many studies have found that pain – and particularly chronic pain – can cause depression, anxiety, and stress. Any effort to remove or reduce pain can have a positive impact on our mental health.
In this regard, the mental benefits of acupuncture are clear. By limiting pain, acupuncture can improve our mental health. Consider visiting our chiropractic clinic so that you may enjoy a series of mental health benefits as well.
