Post-Surgery Acupuncture Treatments for Faster Recovery!

If you're preparing for surgery or have recently undergone a surgical procedure, you may be looking for ways to speed up your recovery and reduce discomfort. The body needs time to recuperate from the procedure and usually, you will be required to take a couple of medications to alleviate the surgical pain and inflammation as well as manage your fluids, etc.  While modern medical treatment is essential, there are also several alternative therapies that may be able to help with surgical recovery. You can benefit a lot from traditional Chinese medicine techniques such as acupuncture and herbal medication as well as other current treatments with little to no side effects.

1. It reduces pain: Acupuncture can help reduce pain after surgery by activating the body's natural pain-relieving mechanisms. Some studies have found that acupuncture can be as effective as medications for relieving post-surgical pain, and have fewer side effects. Acupuncture is done by inserting needles into specific points in the body to move the energy known as Qi along the meridians. If you're wary about needles, acupuncture needles are much thinner than those used in syringes. The tip of an acupuncture needle is blunt that it's called a "painless needle." Additionally, the acupuncture needles will not be placed anywhere near your surgery site! So no worries, you'll get treated without adding another cause of pain.
2. It reduces inflammation: Inflammation is a normal part of the healing process, but it can also cause discomfort and delay recovery by you being apprehensive to move your body in fear of experiencing pain. Acupuncture and the right herbal medications can reduce inflammation and promote healing by regulating the immune system and increasing blood flow to the affected area. 
3. It can improve sleep: Taking sleeping pills can cause drug dependency. Herbal medications to help you sleep are all natural and will not cause unwanted side effects. Good sleep is essential for recovery, and acupuncture is able to help improve sleep quality. Acupuncture has been shown to increase the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, and it may also help reduce anxiety and stress, which can interfere with sleep. 
4. It enhances your overall well-being: In addition to its specific effects on pain, inflammation, and sleep, acupuncture may also improve overall well-being by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. This can be especially beneficial during recovery when stress and anxiety are common.

To prolong the effects of an acupuncture treatment, ear seeds can sometimes be used. Ear seeds are small seeds, beads, or pellets applied to specific ear points. They are often used in conjunction with acupuncture to stimulate the corresponding points on the body that reduce pain, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being. It's easy to purchase and attach ear seeds but it is highly recommended that you consult a licensed professional first for a more accurate application of the effective acupressure points fit to your condition.

For those who have been in bed for quite a long time after surgery, they are recommended to exercise in order for their cardiovascular system to increase its endurance or return it back to how it was used before surgery. If you notice that you're experiencing fatigue a lot more usual than before, then EWOT or Exercise with Oxygen Therapy might be the answer. EWOT can be performed on a treadmill, stationary bike, or other exercise equipment, and it typically involves wearing a mask or hood that delivers oxygen at a higher concentration than is found in the air we normally breathe. The oxygen is delivered at a high flow rate, which helps to increase the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the body's tissues.  It enhances the delivery of nutrients to the cells and tissues, which may help with healing and recovery.

Acupuncture, herbal medications, ear seeds, and EWOT are safe and effective forms of treatment that may be able to help with surgical recovery when done by a licensed specialist. All of the treatments mentioned are available in NYC Acupuncture+Wellness. Book an appointment to have your initial consultation with Dr. Ting Wu.