The Role of Acupuncture in Holistic Healthcare and Wellness

What is holistic health and wellness?

It's no coincidence that the word "holistic" sounds a lot like the word "whole." The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "holistic" as "relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than…parts." Acupuncture is a prime example of a holistic health practice because it recognizes the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit and therefore aims to treat the whole person. As people increasingly turn to such holistic practices as yoga and meditation to feel better physically and mentally, acupuncture can be an excellent treatment to incorporate as part of an overall health and wellness routine.

I'm not sick or in pain. Can I still benefit from acupuncture?

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be suffering to enjoy the benefits of acupuncture! According to the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine, one of the principles of holistic medicine is that "Optimal health is much more than the absence of sickness."

Just like engaging in regular exercise and taking vitamins can help maintain health, receiving acupuncture regularly can help keep your body in balance. Acupuncture is great for those areas where we can almost always do a little better, such as:

• Improving sleep
• Boosting your immune system
• Balancing hormones (including supporting a healthy menstrual cycle if you are a female of childbearing age)
• Supporting healthy digestion (including bowel movements)
• Increasing energy
• Decreasing stress

Because Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM, of which acupuncture is a part) holds that it is imbalances within the body that create illness or pain, regular acupuncture sessions can help your body to course correct and get back to its healthy state by addressing subtle imbalances before they have the chance to take hold and cause a larger issue.

If you're curious about acupuncture or want to add holistic practices into your health and wellness routine, contact our office today. We're passionate about holistic health and wellness and excited to share our knowledge with you!