My first session proved to be eye-opening. I learned I have inflammation in my gut—something my acupuncturist was able to tell simply by looking at my tongue. Crazy, right? And guess what? Inflammation can cause bloating and general discomfort. I felt I was in the right place.
“From a Traditional East Asian Medicine perspective, acupuncture is all about restoring flow. We talk about qi (vital energy) and blood moving through channels in the body—when that flow gets stuck or disrupted, we see symptoms like pain, inflammation, digestive issues or even emotional tension,” explains Dr. Haley Parker, L.Ac., HFSer, licensed acupuncturist and VUIM director of clinical operations (Virginia University of Integrative Medicine). “One of my favorite ways to explain this to patients is: The body doesn’t speak English, it speaks symptoms. Acupuncture helps us ‘translate’ and guide the body back into balance. I tell my patients that I take their clues and triangulate a diagnosis based on their signs and symptoms, pulses and tongue diagnosis. I then pick a point prescription, like 'coding to the brain’ to help reset the body and guide it to balance.”
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What Is Inflammation and How Can Acupuncture Help?
That said, inflammation technically isn’t a bad thing—it’s simply part of the healing process after experiencing stress, imbalance or injury.
Many individuals with inflammation turn to acupuncture, as it helps boost blood flow and promotes the release of anti-inflammatory mediators, including neuropeptides and endorphins.
Related: This Common Daily Habit Is Destroying Your Gut Health—Here’s How To Avoid It
Alexa Mellardo
My Experience Doing Acupuncture for 30 Days
My test period included weekly one-hour sessions. The shades were drawn in the treatment room, creating a very relaxing, spa-like environment that promoted pure rest. Each session began with me lying down on my back. My acupuncturist then inserted about 16 to 18 needles in various parts of my body, including my forehead, abdomen, legs and feet. I expected the needles to pinch or feel uncomfortable. Although everyone’s pain tolerance varies, I barely noticed them.
Alexa Mellardo
Every other session, my acupuncturist also performed “cupping” on the small of my back, which involved placing plastic cups to suction out toxins, boost circulation and loosen up tight muscles.
The Results
After my first session, my gut definitely felt lighter. It made me look forward to my next visit and I was hopeful that I was finally on the right path.
That said, acupuncture requires consistency and a well-rounded approach to see noticeable changes.
I’m a firm believer in making healthy lifestyle adjustments in addition to trying out a method such as acupuncture. For me, that included eliminating processed foods and reducing sweets. I prioritized simple yet healthy homemade meals, complete with protein and vegetables. I even started to make my own freshly squeezed citrus juices in the morning and added deep belly breathing exercises to my routine to alleviate stress.
So, will I be sticking with acupuncture? Absolutely.
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Sources:
Takayama, S., Watanabe, M., Kusuyama, H., Nagase, S., Seki, T., Nakazawa, T., & Yaegashi, N. (2012). Evaluation of the effects of acupuncture on blood flow in humans with ultrasound color Doppler imaging. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, 513638.Li, N., Ma, Y., Wang, N., Fan, J., & Li, X. (2021). The anti-inflammatory actions and mechanisms of acupuncture from acupoint to target organs via neuro-immune regulation. Journal of Inflammation Research, 14, 7191–7206.Dr. Haley Parker, the VUIM director of clinical operations (Virginia University of Integrative Medicine), L.Ac., HFS and licensed acupuncturist and therapistDoug Bertram, M.S., L.Ac., MTCM, the founder & CEO of Structural Elements®Crucillà, S., Caldart, F., Michelon, M., Marasco, G., & Costantino, A. (2024). Functional abdominal bloating and gut microbiota: An update. Microorganisms, 12(8), 1669.Hence then, the article about the surprising treatment that improved my inflammation in just 30 days was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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