Acupuncture for Beginners

When performed by an experienced and qualified practitioner, acupuncture is widely considered to be a safe form of therapy. Look for a licensed acupuncturist or locate a physician who practices acupuncture through the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.

What it’s Best For: Acupuncture is especially effective at treating musculoskeletal pain and injury, according to Waldron, and may be covered by insurance for these health issues. Stress, anxiety and depression, as well as menstrual and fertility issues, can also be improved through acupuncture. As Waldron explains, not everyone responds to acupuncture, so it’s important to monitor your progress to determine if the therapy is right for you.

The Beauty Connection: Beauty begins on the inside and reflects on the outside, says Waldron, so blocked energy within your body is likely to cause external problems with skin, hair and wrinkles, according to traditional Chinese medicine.

An acupuncture session restores the flow of qi within the body, which can help return radiance to the skin. The stimulation of acupoints boosts the circulation of blood and qi to the face, giving your complexion a noticeable glow.

Cosmetic acupuncture and a relatively new treatment called an acupuncture facelift are also becoming popular because they provide a temporary lift and reduce the appearance wrinkles on the face and neck through muscle stimulation and increased blood and lymph circulation to the face and scalp. Cosmetic acupuncture may also increase collagen production and decrease inflammation for an additional beauty boost.