As we age, maintaining our overall well-being becomes increasingly important. With the passage of time, many individuals experience a range of health issues, such as chronic pain, arthritis, and reduced mobility. While various conventional treatments are available, acupuncture is one complementary and alternative therapy that has garnered a high level of interest. Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body to stimulate the flow of energy or “qi” and is most commonly used to treat pain. We explore more about acupuncture and its benefits in this post.
Joint health
Many people have a love-hate relationship with their joints. While healthy joints allow a person to enjoy many activities, painful joints can be extremely debilitating. Arthritis and joint stiffness are prevalent among older adults, impacting their mobility and overall quality of life. Acupuncture may help to reduce pain and stiffness.
Other potential benefits
There are several conditions and symptoms that acupuncture has been said to help with, including anxiety and depression, insomnia, menstrual cramps, migraines, multiple sclerosis and cancer treatment. However, larger-scale trials are required to confirm the benefits.
Consult with your care team to talk about the potential benefits and harms of acupuncture given your specific conditions and needs. And stay up to date with any new rigorous systematic reviews on this topic on the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal.
