Pain is a natural type of nerve signal in your body that tells you when something is wrong. It signals when you have a wound or injury. However, pain signals can also continue after the injury has healed or appear with no apparent cause.

Acute pain refers to short-term pain that resolves after a few days or weeks. Chronic pain lasts for six months or longer. For many, chronic pain is a lifelong issue. It can impact your sleep, mobility, mood, and many other parts of your life, especially if you don’t have a reliable way to manage it.

What causes chronic pain?

Chronic pain can come from many conditions affecting the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and other parts of your body. Some of the most common causes of chronic pain that the team at Heaven & Earth Acupuncture routinely treat are:

Arthritis

There are many types of arthritis, which all result in joint degeneration, stiffness, and pain. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, the two most common types, are widespread causes of chronic pain. 

Chronic migraine

Some people get migraines every so often, but others experience them most days. If you have migraines 15 or more days of every month, you have chronic migraine. 

Chronic back or neck pain

Chronic pain in the back or neck can come from former injuries like sprains and strains, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and other structural issues.

How does acupuncture help with pain?

Acupuncture is an ancient and reliable treatment from traditional Chinese medicine, which relies on the idea that energy flows through your body along specific pathways called meridians. Pain, as well as other symptoms and ailments, happens when there is a disruption or imbalance in the energy flow.

Acupuncture corrects imbalances with fine needles, which a skilled acupuncturist inserts at certain pressure points. When there is a balance, your health (and pain) improve. 

In addition to or instead of acupuncture, the team at Heaven & Earth Acupuncture may recommend other alternative pain therapies. Some of their specialties include cupping, therapeutic massage, and electrostimulation. 

For more information on pain and how it benefits from alternative therapies, like acupuncture, call Heaven & Earth Acupuncture or book an appointment online today.