Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine and an important part of traditional Chinese medicine.

Certain points on your body (called acupuncture points or acupressure points) are stimulated by inserting a thin needle into the skin. This is linked to the belief that disease and pain are caused by disruptions to the flow of energy (called Qi or “vital energy”) in the body. The Qi then travels through channels that are called meridians.

The goal of acupuncture is to manipulate the flow of Qi.

What Is Acupuncture Good For?

People have reported improvement in the following conditions after trying acupuncture.

-          Help with fibromyalgia. Many people have reported more manageable fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture.

-          Help with fertility treatment. Women who have failed more than one attempt at IVF or haven’t had success with conventional treatment may turn to acupuncture. In a 2002 study, German researchers found that adding acupuncture to traditional IVF treatment increased pregnancy success.

-          Release endorphins. Some studies have suggested that acupuncture releases endorphins (your body’s natural pain-killing chemicals) and affects the part of the brain that controls serotonin, which is a chemical that deals with moods.

Acupuncturists typically recommend regular sessions to see improvement, rather than just a one-time visit. And overall, you’ll probably notice results when paired with healthy lifestyle habits and conventional treatments.

Can Acupuncture Help Your Skin?

Skincare is more than just our skin; it involves what you eat, how much you exercise, your stress level, and how much you sleep. Sometimes the reason you can’t eradicate your skin issues, such as acne, is because you’re not looking at the big picture!

You can even get acupuncture facials.

You know that pollution, stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, and hormones can affect your complexion.

An acupuncturist determines the root of a patient’s skin problems, and then selects the points on the body that need to be treated.

With long-term treatment, you may see improvements in your skin.

Acupuncture may benefit your skin in the following ways:

-          Diminish the appearance of wrinkles and brighten your complexion. By inserting needles into specific points on the face, acupuncturists can stimulate collagen turnover and circulation to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but you have to be consistent with treatment to see effects.

-          Clear up acne and calm rosacea. Acupuncturists focus on a patient’s monthly cycle and the digestive system to calm acne and rosacea. In turn, this can minimize redness and irritation in the skin.

-          Reduce puffiness. Again, this has to do with correcting the problem from the inside out. A puffy face can be a sign of digestive problems or allergies. Acupuncture stimulates blood flow to the face to reduce swelling.