No matter where you are, every year brings exciting new memories and countless experiences. Yet, as we get older, our bodies don’t work like they used to. This can make it hard to enjoy another year of new things.

If you’re tired of being pushed to medicine, or surgery sounds like your only option, there is a more natural and holistic approach that can work for you like it has for many others. It might feel like there are limited choices to help with normal pains and aches, but acupuncture has become more and more popular, especially with our generation.

Physical Benefits of Acupuncture
“Older individuals can benefit because of the usual aches and pains you get with age. It’ll clean up anything that shouldn’t be there, as well as bring more nutrients to the area to help the healing process,” says Timothy Tran, the Owner and Practitioner of BR Acupuncture Wellness LLC.

“In general, acupuncture works on the basis of qi, or otherwise, can be known as blood flow. It’s kind of like a traffic jam in the body. If the blood doesn’t circulate very well, then things can start to be painful or cause aches or some other issues,” Tran says. “So I redirect traffic.”

For example, if someone has shoulder pain, then acupuncture can stimulate that area around the shoulder to increase blood flow. Acupuncture can also help with arthritis.

“More times than not, I’m able to get them to function well and manage their pain enough to where they don’t have to get the surgery,” Tran says.

When surgery is their only option, that’s when a lot of people get acupuncture treatment. “This is an integrative medicine, so we work with their PCPs (Primary Care Physicians) to work out a pain management regimen.”

Mental Health Benefits of Acupuncture
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, as people age, they may experience life changes that affect their mental health, such as coping with a serious illness or losing a loved one.

“There are different points on the body that can help with stress, anxiety, depression, as well as a lot of other things that come up emotionally like PTSD,” Tran says.

The holistic practice of acupuncture has helped older generations cope with their mental health.

“These modalities alleviate stress and depression symptoms by releasing endorphins, the body’s own natural painkillers, and improving the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids which bring oxygen to body tissues,” says the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. “Acupuncture and massage also decrease the stress hormone cortisol, lower blood pressure, reduce the heart rate, and relax muscle tissue.” Several acupuncture practices offer counseling for their patients, including BR Acupuncture Wellness. “When I book patients and it’s their first time, I give them an ample amount of time to get to know them and understand all the things that are going on,” Tran says. “So I can really get down to the bottom of things.”

Quick Questions About Acupuncture
Does it hurt?
Depending on the area that’s bothering you, the most it will feel like is a pinch. The fattier areas don’t hurt, but the thinner areas might feel an initial pinch. The puncture spot doesn’t scar.

Is it expensive?
The price depends on the practitioner you see, but the first visit can range from $90 to $100. Follow-up visits are around $75. Several acupuncture businesses accept insurance as well.

How many needles need to go in?
The range is 5 to 20 needles. People who need acupuncture for stress, tension, or headaches are often in a range of 5 to 10 needles. But, if it’s several problems like neck and back issues, it can be more like 20 needles.

Rather than paying for an expensive and invasive procedure,
consult an acupuncture practitioner to see if a brief and painless treatment is right for you.