Acupuncture is an ancient technique used in traditional Chinese medicine that is now a common alternative medical treatment used worldwide. According to the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture has been used in some form for at least 2,500 years. It involves inserting very fine needles into the energy meridians or pathways in the body to balance and optimize the flow of the life or energy force known as Qi. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that disorders of the energy flow, Qi, are the root cause of illness, emotional dysfunction, and aging. THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION Acupuncture provides benefits to both the body and the mind. In addition to its use as a treatment for physical ailments, acupuncture is widely used to treat diverse mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance addiction, and insomnia. Cosmetic acupuncture also provides a host of aesthetic benefits from acne treatment to anti-aging. Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes that a link exists between the mind and body that make them an integrated system. This system connects the organs in the body, the energy pathways (meridians) throughout the body, and the psychological state. Through acupuncture, the body’s energy meridians are balanced and optimized so Qi flows freely, producing better mental and physical health. NONRISKY BUSINESS A 2018 article in Psychology Today, “Acupuncture in Mental Health Care,” states that research studies suggest that conventional needle acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and computer-controlled electro-acupuncture treatments show consistent beneficial effects on depressed mood and anxiety. A more recent article, “Acupuncture for Psychological Disorders Caused by Chronic Pain,” published in 2021 in Frontiers in Neuroscience, explains that “acupuncture tackles the multidimensional nature of pain with fewer or no serious adverse effect.” The article goes on to state that an estimated 20.4% of adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain, with depression and anxiety being the most common psychological disorders resulting from this chronic pain. An estimated eight million Americans have used acupuncture, primarily for pain-related problems, and it has had a beneficial effect in the treatment of psychological disorders caused by the chronic pain. Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE Internationally recognized aesthetic business development expert. Cheryl Whitman. is the founder and CEO of Beautiful Forever Consulting. She is a sought-after speaker and industry marketing specialist. who assists physicians and medical spas in creating new profit centers, developing profitable private label product lines, ghost writing articles and eBooks, and identifying and executing new business strategies aimed at improving their bottom line. A celebrated author, Whitman’s “Aesthetic Medical Success System,” a turnkey educational system, has assisted clients in opening or jumpstarting their current businesses. Her second book, “Beautifully Profitable, Forever Profitable,” provides solid, practical information on how to create, launch, and grow successful aesthetic medical practices and related businesses. Want to read more? Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.