Can acupuncture, acupressure or Chinese medicine cure addiction?

Acupressure and acupuncture has been used by Chinese medical practitioners for thousands of years to treat illness and disease. The idea is that gentle stimulation and pressure applied to specific parts of the body can correct imbalances in the internal biofield. Can this therapy work to cure people of addiction?

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At the moment, traditional Chinese medicine practices such as acupressure and acupuncture are among the most controversial treatments in the modern world.  The argument goes that these types of complementary and alternative practices have not yet convincingly demonstrated biophysical change in the external energy fields after a treatment session.  The therapeutic effects of such treatments are also in question.Why is this?

Well, because scientists like to measure things.  And for good reason…they’re looking for evidence.  Simply, scientists and researchers cannot today pinpoint specific, measurable wavelengths and frequencies for patients undergoing acupuncture or acupressure treatments.  Therefore, the efficacy of the modality is in question.

But acupuncture and acupressure rely on a subtle shift of energy in the body, one that is not measurable as mechanical vibration (sound), electromagnetic force (visible light, magnetism) or monochromatic radiation (laser beams and rays from other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum). And according to the NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), energy medicine is gaining popularity with Americans.

Could it be that it works?  Can traditional Chinese medicine help addicts?

In my experience, one cannot rely on any ONE external method to recover from addiction.  There is no magic pill, no sacred one-stop-shop-cure for treating addiction.  Instead, the combined effect of many different modalities can harmonize to help a person heal emotionally, physically, and ultimately spiritually from addiction.

Acupressure and acupuncture has helped me in the past to recover from stress, anxiety and depression.  After 20 minutes of needles, I have felt more gently rested and harmonious than a full night’s sleep.  However, I hesitate to recommend these types of treatments for the naïve, the overly hopeful, or the irresponsible addict in recovery.  Restoring the flow of qi through meridians to restore health is a process used to keep the body in balance…it’s not a one-time fix, it’s a multiple-visit process of feeling internal balance to recognize health and aim to keep it.

How do you think people perceive acupuncture, acupressure and traditional Chinese medicine?  And what about the marketplace for such treatments?  How do you know who you can trust with your internal biofield?  (discuss amongst yourselves).

About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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