Many of us have probably heard of acupuncture. It is a part of East Asian medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years to bring healing and balance to the body’s energy systems. Fortunately, this minimally invasive, therapeutic modality is a part of the evidence-based medicine paradigm that is being practiced today and is benefiting the well-being of many people; helping in areas of digestion, sleep, mood, stress and pain to name a few.

Acupuncture communicates directly with our nervous system. Thin needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points and signal the nervous system to regulate. Acupuncture has been shown to have regulatory effects on the neurological, endocrine and immune systems. Locally, it signals the body’s innate healing processes and promotes circulation, decreases inflammation and reduces pain.

In cases of chronic pain, multiple acupuncture sessions can serve to reset the nervous system’s pain threshold and end the pain cycle. In regard to mood, acupuncture can help shift a person from a stressed state into a relaxed one where rest, healing and digestion can occur because the nervous system is able to function and restore balance to the body’s systems. On top of that, many people report experiencing sound sleep the nights following an acupuncture treatment.

The health benefits of acupuncture can be highly personal. As it’s a very individualized form of medicine, the specific symptoms, conditions or concerns that we “bring to the table” can be treated naturally to provide the best support for each of our unique constitutions. Acupuncture treats the whole person—our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects.

Dr. Jocelyn Flay, DAc, is with the Nutritional Wellness Center, located at 1 Cinnaminson Ave., Ste. 206, in Palmyra, New Jersey. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-499-2160. www.NutritionalWellnessNJ.com

.