Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat mental and physical illnesses. This ancient practice has its origin in ancient Taoist philosophy, which states that all diseases all caused by blockages in energy flow (chi). By placing thin needles at specific points in the body, acupuncturists can remove these blockages and treat the root cause of your illness. Recent studies show that acupuncture can be successfully used in dentistry as a way to relieve anxiety and pain.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
This practice dates back to 200 B.C.E. The ancient Chinese believed that chi, the universal energy flow, circulates through the body in channels called meridians. When this energy doesn’t flow freely through your body, you can develop mental, physical, and emotional disorders. There are numerous ways to restore the flow of chi, including acupuncture. This therapy works by stimulating certain points on the meridians in order to remove blockages.
Today, acupuncture is seen as a form of alternative or complementary medicine. Wellness centers, hospitals, and clinics from all around the world use this therapy to help patients get rid of pain and recover faster. Modern research shows that acupuncture may increase the production of endorphins and other pain-relieving substances. For this reason, many health care providers recommend this therapy for treating osteoarthritis, lower back pain, migraines, upper respiratory infections, infertility, depression, and anxiety.
An overwhelming number of studies indicate that acupuncture helps relieve headaches and stress-related conditions. In dentistry, this practice is being used for pain management and severe dental anxiety. More than five percent of Americans are afraid to see the dentist. About 20 percent of the general population has some form of anxiety. Acupuncture helps reduce anxiety symptoms and relaxes your mind. The best part is that it works faster than therapy and keeps you drug-free.
Acupuncture and Dentistry
Acupuncture has a wealth of benefits, from pain relief to stress management, better digestion, and increased energy. More and more dentists are using it to help patients feel relaxed before and after their treatment. According to researchers, this centuries old practice can reduce anxiety and pain when seeing the dentist. Millions of people suffer from odontophobia, which describes the fear regarding oral health work. This condition affects more than one third of patients. Acupuncture can help ease the stress of going to the dentist, which may reduce the added time and expense of pain-relieving drugs.
A study conducted on a group of volunteers has shown that acupuncture has reduced anxiety and stress levels by 15 percent in just 15 minutes. Inserting thin needles in certain areas on your body can ease the pain caused by dental procedures and calm the central nervous system. Although this therapy can not replace the drill, it can be used in conjunction with conventional treatments for jaw pain, dental post-operative pain, anxiety, temporomandibular disorder, dry mouth, nerve pain, chronic muscle pain, and jaw clicking. Acupuncture changes the way you process pain signals and releases serotonin, endorphins and other feel-good chemicals in the brain. This helps stimulate your nervous system and relieves dental anxiety.
To explore how acupuncture can help at your next dental visit, call (619) 630-7174
