What You Need to Know About Acupuncture in Houston

What You Need to Know About Acupuncture in Houston

Houston is the most densely populated city in the state of Texas. Its economy thrives from its diversified industries – oil and gas, technology, medical research, and health care.

Visitors flock to Houston to enjoy its parks, museums, and theatres. Kids look forward to the Zoo, Aquarium, and the Space Center.

With its focus on medical research and health care, Houston boasts of its largest medical district, The Texas Medical Center (TMC), as well as the Texas Children’s Hospital.

There is also a wide range of clinics specializing in acupuncture in Houston. Texas Medical Center (TMC) includes the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, known as one of the best cancer hospitals in the world.

To complement with Western Medicine, TMC opened a traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation center for cancer patients last 2018.

Despite its popularity, the legalization of acupuncture Houston was only recent. Nevada was the first state that fully legalized acupuncture and Chinese medicine last 2015. Others eventually followed, including Texas.

Does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture is an ancient treatment under Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the insertion of thin needles in the body’s acupuncture points.

TCM explains that illness is the result of an imbalance of “yin” and “yang.” The life force “qi” flows through the pathways of the human body. These pathways of energy flow become activated through 350 acupuncture points in the body. Inserting needles to these points is said to bring back the balance in the flow of energy.

In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a file containing a compilation of diseases wherein acupuncture proved to be an effective treatment.

A list of more-commonly known conditions are listed below:

  • Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and chemotherapy (nausea, vomiting)
  • Depression
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Gastric conditions
  • Facial pain
  • Tennis elbow
  • Dental pain
  • Headache
  • Low and high blood pressure
  • Knee pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Neck pain
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sciatica
  • Sprain
  • Reduction in risk of stroke
  • Inducing labor

What does the future look like for acupuncture?

According to the American Cancer Society’s statistics for 2019, there were an estimated 124,890 new cases of cancer in Texas. The top six cancer types are:

  • Breast (female)
  • Lung and bronchus
  • Colorectum
  • Prostate
  • Kidney and renal pelvis
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

As more people are turning to chemotherapy, locals will also be seeking acupuncture in Houston to help relieve pain. Acupuncture also strengthens the immune system during chemotherapy and reduces side effects like nausea and vomiting.

Statistics report that a vast majority of Americans aged 65 or older are living in either California, Florida, or Texas. Since pain and high blood pressure are common conditions among older people, acupuncture treatment will be one of the better options available.

There is also a growing interest in health and wellness in social media. Locals seeking acupuncture in Houston will have a wide choice of clinics to address common concerns like headaches, sprains, and back pains.

Aside from its wellness benefits, acupuncture is useful for aesthetic purposes. Facial acupuncture treats crow’s feet, frown lines, smile lines, and lip lines.

Conclusion

Since its first practice in China in the 1st century AD, acupuncture has come a long way. The modern world is discovering that acupuncture is generally safe and complements other medical treatments.