How Acupuncture Helps With Detox From SUD
Acupuncture is a technique that has been around for thousands of years, rooted in Eastern culture. By allowing energy to properly flow through the body, acupuncture has served as a treatment for a variety of different health conditions and illnesses.
Substance abuse and addiction impact the health and well-being of a person’s mind, body, and spirit. At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we focus on healing at the core root level and healing as a whole person. Through various therapeutic methods that take a holistic approach with a medical background, we are able to provide personalized care for individuals facing challenges with substance abuse and addiction. This article will dive into acupuncture, how it helps in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), and how Exclusive Hawaii Rehab integrates it into our holistic approach to addiction treatment.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a technique where practitioners insert thin, tiny needles into the skin to treat a variety of different health conditions. It is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been around for thousands of years. Acupuncture has been used throughout history to offer healing for a variety of different illnesses and conditions and improve overall well-being.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
When acupuncture is done, fine needles are inserted into different locations of the body at different and specific depths. Acupuncture works by stimulating sensory nerves in the skin and muscles. It is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, which says that illnesses are a consequence of imbalances in a person’s “qi.”
What Is Qi?
“Qi,” pronounced as chee, is a concept in Chinese philosophy that refers to this idea of energy in a very vast sense. To understand qi as it relates to acupuncture, it can be described as the energy that flows through the body.
Imbalances and blockages of energy in the body are what is responsible for many physical, mental, and emotional ailments, according to the ideas of Chinese medicine. Moreover, the belief is that qi needs to be in balance to be in good health. If there are imbalances of qi then that is when illness occurs.
Acupuncture can help with the balance and flow of qi, which can result in improved health and healing. It is believed that there are 361 acupuncture points in the body that can bring the energy flow, or qi, back to balance.
What Is the History of Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used over for thousands of years in Eastern culture. It has been used as a way to relieve pain and achieve a greater sense of well-being. Acupuncture is centered around this idea, followed by Eastern medicine, that energy flows throughout the body. Disruptions of this flow can lead to diseases in the mind, body, and spirit. Through tiny, thin needles in specific locations, acupuncture can help release these blockages.
What Are the Benefits of Acupuncture?
One of the main benefits associated with acupuncture is pain relief. Some of the other potential benefits of acupuncture can include:
- Controlling nausea and vomiting
- Improving sleep
- Reducing headaches and migraines
- Aiding in surgery recovery
Another significant benefit associated with acupuncture is its effect on mental health. It is believed that when energy, or qi, cannot flow freely, it can cause symptoms of anxiety and stress. Studies suggest that acupuncture can help stimulate the release of “feel-good” hormones, increasing a sense of well-being and promoting a relaxed, calm, and meditative state.
Individuals who have faced challenges with substance abuse or addiction often experience physical effects that occur during substance use and even after substance use has stopped. The effects of addiction can cause changes in the brain and body that require healing from the inside out. Many individuals experience pain, changes in their eating and sleeping habits, low moods, headaches, and other physical effects due to continued use of drugs or alcohol. Acupuncture can be used as an aid in healing when it comes to addiction recovery. Not only does it address blockages in the body, but in the mind and soul as well.
How Does Acupuncture Help With Detox From SUD?
As acupuncture became an accepted treatment across the world for various health conditions, it has also been used as an aid in treating opioid addiction. When used as a therapy approach for SUD, acupuncture can help relieve withdrawal symptoms, prevent or reduce cravings, and increase participation rates in long-term treatment programs.
The most common form of acupuncture treatment for substance addiction is auricular acupuncture. Auricular acupuncture refers to a type of acupuncture where needles are inserted at specific points in the outer ear. It is believed that the outer ear includes a “map” of the body and that inserting the needles at these specific points can help unblock and heal certain parts of the body. Acupuncture can be a great, non-pharmacological approach to managing chronic pain for someone recovering from dependence on opioids.
What Happens to the Brain and Body During Detox?
Detox is one of the first and most important steps in the recovery process. Over time, substance use can have a profound impact on the brain and body. When a person develops a dependence on a substance, they will experience symptoms when the presence of these substances declines. This is because the body and brain become used to the abnormal changes and imbalances that the substances cause.
Common withdrawal symptoms include pain, irritability, nausea, cravings, and fatigue. However, withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and, in some cases, life-threatening. Medical detox helps ensure the safety and comfort of each individual as they begin to rid their body of toxins and start to heal.
During detox, acupuncture can act as an aid and part of treatment to help manage withdrawal symptoms and make the detox process a little more comfortable. The detox process is different for each individual, and acupuncture can be helpful for many in helping them begin to heal at the core root level.
Can Acupuncture Help With Withdrawal Symptoms?
Using acupuncture as a therapeutic approach to help offer relief from symptoms of withdrawal from addictive substances has become more popular over the years. Acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain, a common symptom of drug withdrawal. As mentioned earlier, a disruption of energy flow in the body can lead to numerous mental and physical ailments. Acupuncture can help release this flow of energy and rebalance the body.
During detox and withdrawal, the brain and body are trying to find balance again as they readjust and revitalize. This process can be a difficult and uncomfortable experience. Acupuncture may help to offer relief from some of the symptoms of withdrawal or, in some cases, prevent them.
How Are Acupuncture and Mindfulness Connected?
Acupuncture can be referred to as a “mind-body” treatment. Mind-body therapies focus on the mind’s connection with bodily function. Other forms of mind-body treatments can also include massage therapy, meditation, relaxation techniques, and yoga.
Mindfulness often refers to the idea of being aware and present in the moment. Practicing mindfulness means focusing on your sensations, breathing, and the environment around you. Through mindfulness, a person can find relief from many mental challenges that they may face, especially when it comes to anxiety and stress.
Mindfulness can help a person re-center and rebalance themselves. Through mindfulness, a person can focus on the way their mind and body are connected. Acupuncture helps to promote this meditative state and bring awareness back to the mind and body.
How Does Mindfulness and Acupuncture Help in Recovery?
In addiction recovery, mindfulness and awareness of the body can help a person gain control over their cravings. It can help individuals find empowerment and relief rather than trying to escape the challenges that may come.
Mindfulness benefits not only your physical well-being but your mental and emotional well-being too. Substance abuse and addiction are often associated with low moods, low energy, and even co-occurring mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Through mindfulness, a person can learn how to be present in the moment and how to let go of worries about the past or the future.
Acupuncture relates to mindfulness in the way that it promotes awareness, relaxation, healing, and a meditative state. Research also suggests that acupuncture can stimulate the release of oxytocin, which is a hormone that helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system. In doing this, a person can find calmness and serenity that allows them to heal through their recovery journey.
Substance abuse and addiction can cause imbalances in the brain and body that affect the way a person thinks, acts, and feels. Mindfulness and acupuncture are two ways that a person can find healing from the imbalances that substance use causes over time and help a person build a new life free of substances.
What to Expect During and After Acupuncture
An acupuncturist will walk you through the process, assess your condition, and ensure you feel comfortable and safe. Individuals typically sit or lie down during acupuncture, and then the acupuncturist will proceed to insert the fine needles.
Acupuncture needles may be inserted manually or through an electric stimulator. In this case, it is known as “electroacupuncture” (EA). You may experience a very quick sensation when the needle is inserted, but that will quickly go away. Some people may feel an ache at the base of the needle. However, since the thin needles are fine enough to part the skin, most people report the experience as painless.
Typically, the needles stay in for 20 to 60 minutes, but this is different from person to person. Oftentimes, the acupuncturist will dim the lights or play quiet music to help create a relaxing and calming environment. Some people may become so relaxed that they fall asleep.
Throughout your session, your acupuncturist will check on you and make sure you’re okay and comfortable. After acupuncture, people usually feel very relaxed, rejuvenated, and calm. Many people feel less anxious and even feel that they have more energy.
How Often Do You Get Acupuncture?
The frequency and length of time a person does acupuncture depends on their specific needs. Some people go once a week, while others go once a month. Doing acupuncture over a longer period of time can promote even longer-lasting healing and relief from pain, stress, and other problems.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture has low risks when you have a licensed acupuncture practitioner using sterile needles. When performed by a licensed practitioner, acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment for a variety of illnesses and disorders. Before doing acupuncture, it is best to consult with a doctor or healthcare provider to make sure it is right for you.
How Is Acupuncture Used at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab?
At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we offer acupuncture as part of our holistic approach to addiction treatment. Much of our program focuses on the mind-body connection and helping individuals find true healing. This means healing at the core root level. Acupuncture is just one feature of our comprehensive approach to treating SUD and addiction.
We offer non-12-Step therapy at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab. Exclusive Hawaii Rehab wants to help you find empowerment, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. Our integrative, holistic, and non-12-Step approach to addiction treatment is customized for each individual’s specific needs. We create a cohesive and comprehensive path to healing that focuses on healing as a whole.
What Is Different About Acupuncture in Hawaii?
At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, our luxury rehab program offers exclusivity, privacy, and serenity that is hard to find in traditional therapy settings. Our expert staff truly cares about what they do and are there to act as partners in your healing journey and collaborate with you on creating your own path to healing.
Acupuncture is one part of the variety of therapeutic methods we offer at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab. What is different about acupuncture in Hawaii is that you are immersed in a setting that promotes true healing both inside and out. Combining a holistic approach with a medical background allows us to address what is really going on, to promote long-lasting healing and recovery.
When acupuncture is integrated into a comprehensive, personalized treatment program, a person can pave their own path to healing and healing at the core root.
What Other Bodywork Therapies Does Exclusive Hawaii Rehab Offer?
At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we offer a variety of different holistic therapies to promote true healing from within. We integrate various bodywork modalities that bring together the best of modern science and ancient wisdom to promote transformational change.
Some of the bodywork therapies we offer include:
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Craniosacral therapy
How Effective Are Holistic Approaches for the Treatment of SUD?
The nature of addiction is extremely complex, impacting the health and well-being of a person’s mind, body, and soul. Holistic approaches to treatment can improve recovery outcomes as they address what is truly going on at the core root level.
Taking a holistic approach to treating SUD and addiction promotes long-term healing. Many traditional approaches to therapy don’t address the underlying issue, offering only a temporary treatment that provides relief for a little while, only for individuals to find themselves facing the same challenges they did before.
By addressing what is truly going on inside, taking a holistic approach with a medical background helps individuals heal as a whole person. We do not want to simply prescribe a medicine to ease the pain or go through therapy in traditional settings. Exclusive Hawaii Rehab believes in working together to help individuals connect with nature, with the world around them, and with themselves, their bodies, and their minds.
How Do I Know if Acupuncture Is Right for Me?
At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, from the moment you arrive, we work together with you to develop a personalized plan that addresses your specific needs. We have a staff of experts, from doctors to psychiatrists, therapists, naturopathic doctors, and much more, who will help guide you along the way. Talking to your provider will help you determine if acupuncture is safe and right for you.
Acupuncture is a technique where practitioners insert fine, tiny needles into the skin to treat a variety of different health conditions. Rooted in Eastern culture, acupuncture can help to release the flow of blocked energy in the body, allowing for relief and healing. Acupuncture can be used to help aid in detox and withdrawal during addiction recovery. At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we take a holistic approach to addiction treatment with a medical background. Acupuncture is one of the various treatment methods we offer that promotes true healing from the inside out. At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe in healing at the core root level. To learn more about our luxury rehab, call (808) 775-0200.