0

How Acupuncture Helps to Reverse Aging

If there is one thing that we cannot change, it’s the natural aging process. While some people embrace the lines on their faces wholeheartedly, some fear it.

Regardless of our preference, the natural aging process is inevitable. In time, all of us will gradually lose some of our youthful strength and beauty.

If you’re dreading the changes caused by aging, cheer up!

signs of aging_38849750 S rJkbvM_DPResearchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) say they’ve found evidence that acupuncture can slow down or reverse signs of aging.

The study involved mice who had their tails cut off. Half of them received regular acupuncture treatments, while the other half got no treatment. After 12 weeks, the group that was treated with acupuncture showed less hair loss, better skin elasticity, and fewer wrinkles compared to those who didn’t receive acupuncture.

Now, that’s exciting!

Acupuncture is also believed to stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms, and some studies suggest it might improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. Researchers believe these benefits could extend to humans too.

Long before the research studies were conducted, acupuncture had already been proven to have all of these health benefits … and more.

How Does Acupuncture Help Reverse Aging?

There are several ways that acupuncture can help reverse aging.

1. It helps improve blood flow

The human body has two main systems that regulate its temperature and blood flow. These are the nervous system and the circulatory system. When these systems fail, our bodies become cold or hot, and our blood stops flowing properly. This leads to serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

Improving blood flow helps reverse aging because it improves the function of both the nervous and circulatory systems. In other words, it makes us healthier and happier.

facial_acupuncture_7392347 S D8Ukiw_DP2. It helps produce collagen (facial acupuncture)

Collagen is the main structural protein in our body. It helps form skin, bone, cartilage, tendon, ligaments, muscles, blood vessels, organs, and other tissues. As we age, collagen levels decrease, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and thinning hair.

Acupuncture stimulates the production of collagen, which improves skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles. Acupuncture also increases the body’s natural ability to heal itself, helping to reduce scarring and other signs of aging.

3. It boosts energy levels

We all want to live longer, healthier lives. And now scientists say they may have found a way to do it. They claim that boosting our energy levels can slow down the aging process.

According to recent studies, humans normally age at a rate of approximately seven years per decade. This means that if you start out at 20, you’ll have aged to about 60 by the time you’re 80. This is thanks to improvements to healthcare and lifestyle.

Researchers from Harvard University say that if you boost your energy levels, you can slow down the aging process even further. The study was conducted on mice, but it’s believed that similar results would occur in humans.

Acupuncture therapy is an ancient Chinese medical practice based on the principle of balancing the energy state of the body by regulating the flow of qi in the corresponding meridians and acupoints. A study suggests that Qi energy (bio-energy) might be transferred during acupuncture along the meridian lines.

stressed_woman_38446009 S v1fco6_DP4. It relieves stress

Stress is something that affects everyone at some point in their lives. Stress can cause us to become anxious or depressed, and even affect our health.

It has been proven that stress can cause premature aging. The body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. This causes damage to the skin, hair, nails, muscles, and bones.

Acupuncture relieves stress by promoting blood circulation and activating the immune system. It also relaxes the mind and calms the spirit.

5. It helps prevent disease

In traditional Chinese medicine, there are five elements: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Each element corresponds with certain organs and functions within the body. For example, wood represents the liver, water represents the kidneys, and so on.

The theory behind this is that when one organ is imbalanced, it will affect other organs and lead to diseases. Stimulating specific points on the body through acupuncture can help restore balance to these organs and improve overall health.

A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine has shown that using acupuncture to relieve pain is more effective than conventional medicine, especially when used with other methods. It was found to be effective for treating chronic back pain, neck pain, knee pain, fibromyalgia, and headaches.

woman_immune_system_38519735 S cnkKcQ_DP6. It strengthens the immune system

Our immune system plays a big role in the aging process. When the immune system becomes weak, the risk for illness rises.

Acupuncture works by stimulating the release of endorphins and enkephalins, two chemicals that act as neurotransmitters. These chemicals make us happy and relieve pain.

Acupuncture has been shown to strengthen the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells and improving their function. In addition, it promotes the release of endorphins, which act like morphine and trigger the pleasure centers in the brain. Endorphins give people a sense of well-being and happiness.

7. It balances our energy

Balanced energy is important for everyone who wants to live a healthy life. The benefits of balanced energy include better sleep, improved mood, increased productivity, and weight loss – all of which help us look and feel younger.

Researchers believe that acupuncture balances the energy of the entire body, including the brain. By stimulating specific points on the body, it can send signals to the rest of the body, thus restoring its natural energy level.

8. It promotes weight loss

Acupuncture can help regulate hormones, improve metabolism, optimize digestion, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, lessen water retention, and optimize other bodily functions that are associated with obesity and weight loss.

When you are at a healthy weight, you will age more slowly. Your skin will look younger, your joints will move better, and your brain will function better.

9. It reduces pain

Reduced pain helps keep our bodies young. When we experience pain, our body releases stress hormones such as cortisol which leads to inflammation and aging.  

There are many reasons why acupuncture is effective at reducing pain. For example, it helps relieve muscle tension and relaxes muscles. It also improves blood circulation and stimulates the immune system.

acupuncture_improved_sleep_quality_74794243 S bQOtx3_DP10. It improves sleep quality

Sleep plays a very important role in maintaining a youthful appearance. When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies begin to break down, causing wrinkles and fine lines to appear.

Aging is associated with changes in sleep patterns. These include decreased total sleep time, increased wakefulness during the night, and reduced slow-wave sleep (SWS). SWS is thought to play a key role in memory consolidation.

Through acupuncture, we can stimulate the release of hormones that regulate sleep patterns. Some studies show that acupuncture can actually increase the amount of time you spend asleep without waking up.

Look and Feel Young with Acupuncture!

Beauty does not end when you reach your 40’s or 50’s. Age should never hinder you from looking and feeling young and fresh. More than getting rid of wrinkles, looking and feeling young is all about feeling good about yourself and being healthy from within. Acupuncture helps you achieve optimal health and wellness allowing you to age slowly and gracefully.

About the author

Dr. Gala Gorman is a licensed Acupuncturist, Naturopath, and Author who offers expert advice and programs to help people prevent disease. She uses advanced techniques that "reverse the clock" on aging. She founded the Delta Discovery Center with her partner, Charlie Frangos, to provide a place for self-discovery and healing on Hilton Head Island and beyond. Dr. Gala helps people learn to be their own health advocates.

>