I'd never dabbled in alternative therapies, not until I turned 24 anyway. I've always been pretty lucky and never (touch wood) experienced any major injuries or suffered from migraines or other ailments. That being said, an underlying back injury from dance circa 2005 has always haunted me. Occasional flair ups and lower back pains which I would usually mask with ibuprofen and a hot water bottle. I recently suffered the worst bout of back pain ever, it disabled me for a good weekend and I genuinely wondered if this is what it felt like to be 85. I'm too young for this. Not only did it drive me insane, it most definitely drove everyone around me insane due to my constant moaning. Soz guys.
I realised that masking the pain with mass amounts of ibuprofen wasn't going to help me, instead I needed to seek treatment. I checked out a few local physiotherapists and was recommended that I also try out acupuncture to relieve the pain and the tightness in my back. At this point, I was open to trying anything even with a fear of needles. Gulp.
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So along I went, to my local acupuncturist, trying oh-so-hard to block out my fear of needles. I sat in the waiting room tapping my feet, anxious about what was to come. Thankfully, my acupuncturist made me feel totally at ease and after an initial conversation regarding my previous medical history, I started to feel much more relaxed albeit still a bit nervy. The needles themselves are tiny, much to my satisfaction! And now, I can't rave about acupuncture enough having worked absolute wonders on my back. I feel like a bit of an acupuncture expert (well, kind of), so if you're thinking about seeking alternative therapies - I'd 100% recommend at least trying acupuncture to see what it could do for you, as it's not just bad backs it can help...
It Can Aid Arthritis
I had no idea that arthritis could be treated using acupuncture. Although it's more of a pain relief than a treatment, it won't fix things but it will certainly help if you're suffering with the pain and don't want to rely solely on modern medicine. It works by diverting the pain that gets sent from the brain, and should definitely be incorporated into your treatment plan. It's always worth a try.
It Could Stop Your Migraines
Do you find you suffer from frequent tension headaches or migraines? With the vast majority of us working in front of screens for our day jobs, it's no wonder so many people suffer from frequent headaches! Instead of popping the paracetamol, why not try acupuncture? You might find that over time, these traditional medicines become less effective, and you might be looking for your next option. Acupuncture is widely recognised as a fantastic treatment option for severe headaches.
It's Great For Overall Wellbeing
Whilst acupuncture is great for targeting particular ailments, it's also useful for your overall wellbeing. The needles trigger the stimulation of the nervous system which in turn releases neurochemical messenger molecules, encouraging the release of serotonin and endorphins which will give you a fantastic mood boost! If you're in need of a bit of a pick-me-up then I'd definitely recommend a session or two.
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It Might Help The Menopause
Now, this is definitely not applicable to me for what I hope will be another 40 years BUT it's worth being aware of if you or someone you know is struggling with the nasty side effects the menopause can bring. From mood swings, to hot flushes and night sweats, acupuncture has been proven in various studies to produce positive results for women who suffer with such symptoms. Although results will differ from individual to individual, if you're at wit's end with the hot flushes it's got to be worth a shot.
As you can tell, I've become a big advocate of acupuncture and I think if you're suffering with an ailment like I was, then it's worth giving a try just to see if it will bring any benefit to you.
Do you use any alternative therapies for illness or injury? Have you seen positive results? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments!