Acupuncture: An Effective Treatment for Heart Disease

July 16, 2008

Numerous drugs are being marketed today to combat heart disease. But along with these drugs comes the risk of unpleasant side effects for the user. This is one reason many patients are using alternative medical treatments to take care of heart disease instead of traditional medicines which can have detrimental side effects.

A popular alternative treatment that shows promise in helping patients to manage their heart condition, or avoid developing one, is acupuncture. Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese for centuries to enhance health and wellbeing, through the use of small needles which are inserted into appropriate locations in the body.

According to tradition, acupuncture aids in the movement of blocked energy in your body. It removes the obstruction and facilitates the flow of energy once again. And research indicates that there’s something to this practice.

Studies have shown that acupuncture can be used to reduce blood pressure and thereby lower the risk of heart disease. It has also been shown to reduce the incidence of angina, blood vessel spasms in the heart that cause pain. And people who were treated by acupuncture for angina were able to recovery more quickly from an attack than those on pharmaceutical treatment.

Generally, acupuncture is a painless treatment because of the small size of the needles. You might not believe it, but it can actually be a soothing and restful therapy. After the needles have been inserted, you can just lie comfortably and relax.

When you’re deciding on where to go for your acupuncture treatment, check that the practitioner has certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. This lets you know that they have a good education and that they continually update their knowledge.

Although some insurance companies offer coverage for acupuncture treatment, most do not, so you will most likely have to shell out for the treatment yourself. Fees can vary considerably depending on where you live. Inquire at several facilities to find out the rates before you book an appointment.

Generally, you’ll need to make a few visits before you start seeing results. But in the end it will mostly likely be well worth your time since you won’t be experiencing the side effects and possible addiction that normally go along with the use of medication.

It is natural for many people to be suspicious of alternative methods; however, if you do a little online research you will find that acupuncture is beginning to be accepted by researchers. Due to the fact that the Chinese have used acupuncture for centuries with no ill effects, it is actually we who might be dependent upon outdated methods.

So it appears that modern research is validating the ancient practice of acupuncture as a viable alternative to traditional medications in the treatment of heart disease.

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