What Is Acupuncture?
Recovery centers constantly look for adjunct therapies to incorporate into their treatment programs. In recent years, addiction treatment centers have looked to holistic treatments to give their clients the best chance of successful recovery from drugs and alcohol. Acupuncture has been one of the most popular choices in complementing traditional addiction treatments.
Acupuncture has been used since the early 1970s to help treat addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Most places in the U.S. are beginning to use acupuncture more and more in the past few years, but California has long accepted the practice for various health issues. So what should you know if you are looking for acupuncture for addiction treatment in Los Angeles?
Acupuncture is one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves inserting very thin (the thickness of a hair) sterile needles through your skin at strategic points in your body. Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique used to balance the flow of energy, Qi (pronounced chee), which is believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. Western medical practitioners view acupuncture points as places to stimulate muscles, connective tissue, and nerves, which may stimulate the body’s natural painkillers.
It is believed that inserting the needles around the body can help stimulate nerves that signal the brain to release biochemicals and hormones that reduce pain, inflammation, and stress. They can also improve circulation and signal the body to increase blood flow to a specific area to help speed up healing. These actions can also balance hormones and boost brain chemicals such as serotonin.
Acupuncture is mainly used to relieve the symptoms and discomfort associated with a variety of conditions, including:
- Chronic pain
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Arthritis
- Labor pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Stress and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression
- Menstrual cramps
- Digestive issues
- Respiratory disorders, such as seasonal allergies
- Drug and alcohol withdrawal
How Does Acupuncture Support Addiction Treatment?
Acupuncture is a safe, all-natural medicine, which, when combined with other forms of treatment, like group counseling, psychotherapy, and support groups, can benefit those suffering from substance abuse. There are many ways acupuncture can support addiction treatment, but the most significant benefits are reducing stress and relieving pain.
It is highly recommended that anyone getting clean off drugs or alcohol after heavy use or prolonged use enter a medically supervised detox to ensure their safety and comfort during the withdrawal process. Withdrawal symptoms can be very intense with muscle aches, insomnia, depression, anxiety, cravings, fatigue, irritability, and nausea. During this time, medical staff can monitor the person’s vitals and administer any necessary medications. Getting acupuncture during this time can also help reduce many withdrawal symptoms and support the medical detox. Acupuncture can also help detox the body through a protocol called NADA or AcuDetox. Developed by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, AcuDetox is an effective treatment for addiction to prevent relapse and compliments traditional treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.
After drug and alcohol detox, acupuncture can help those in recovery programs reduce their stress and even help heal trauma. It is also beneficial to help co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression, which may be the root cause of addiction. Another benefit is that it is an excellent alternative to painkillers which may not be an option for those recovering from opiates or other painkillers. Some of these issues may have been the cause of a prescription addiction and are still present.
Acupuncture can also be beneficial to help maintain sobriety after the addiction treatment program is over. Helping to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety can remove some of the triggers that may lead to a relapse. Some people also suffer from mild withdrawal symptoms even months after they stopped using drugs or alcohol, such as insomnia and nervousness, which acupuncture can also help treat.
If you know someone who has experienced a release, here are some tips on how to deal with the situation:
https://musetreatment.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-a-relapse-of-a-recovering-alcoholic/
What to Expect at Your First Acupuncture Treatment
Not every person will experience the same during their first acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture focuses on individualized treatment and rarely has the same treatment for every person. With individual treatments, you may be asked questions about your health history and current symptoms, followed by the acupuncturist feeling your pulse and looking at your tongue to help with their Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis. Based on this diagnosis, the acupuncturist will choose various points throughout your body, mainly the legs and arms, to insert the acupuncture needles.
Once needles are in, you will lay with them for about 30 to 40 minutes. You may feel a slight pinch as they are inserted but should not feel anything after that and may feel very relaxed and even fall asleep. Once they are removed, you can go about your day usually.
Some recovery centers will have group acupuncture sessions, usually using the NADA protocol. NADA’s standardized treatment includes inserting tiny needles at five points in each ear, which can help with the heightened nervous system, stress, detoxing, and even trauma. The treatment usually lasts about 30 minutes, and the person should also feel very relaxed. Groups can sit together quietly or may even participate in a guided meditation during this time.
7 Los Angeles Acupuncturists
Here are seven acupuncturists in Los Angeles to help you experience the holistic treatment:
1. East Meets West Holistic Center
As a holistic center, East Meets West offers more than just acupuncture. They have a team of various eastern and western healing modalities to tailor your treatment plan for your individual needs. They specialize in digestive health and have a Strategic Nutritionist-Dietician who can help you with your nutrition goal and help reverse the extensive damage drug and alcohol addiction can have on your digestive system.
5820 Wilshire Blvd Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90036
2. Art of Wellness Acupuncture
Art of Wellness Acupuncture specializes in addiction treatment and uses NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol that addresses the emotional, physical, and psychological attributes involved in addictions. Its mission is to provide the best holistic health care through acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. They also offer a range of other modalities, such as cupping, tui na, and nutrition therapy, to support addiction recovery.
11704 Wilshire Blvd #295, Los Angeles, CA 90025
3. Westside Acupuncture and Wellness
Ricardo Miranda, L.Ac. is a board-certified acupuncturist who treats addiction and mental health disorders. Using dual diagnosis in treating co-occurring disorders and addiction can be very helpful for long-term recovery. At Westside Acupuncture and Wellness, they can treat addiction and other health-related issues simultaneously to get you feeling your best as soon as possible.
11860 Wilshire Blvd #300, Los Angeles, CA 90025
4. Clinic for Pain and Anxiety
The Clinic for Pain and Anxiety specializes in acupuncture, cupping, medical massage, and immersive therapy. Because they specialize in anxiety and other mental health disorders, this is a good fit for those with dual diagnosis and suffering from co-occurring disorders.
441 S Beverly Dr #1, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
5. Well Women Acupuncture
Specializing in women’s health issues, Well Women Acupuncture is an excellent option for women who feel more comfortable in a female-only space or need more specific support for their gynecological
issues. They also treat other problems that may be present with addiction, such as muscle pains, headaches, and mental health disorders.
11980 San Vicente Blvd #112, Los Angeles, CA 90049
6. Eagle Rock Community Acupuncture
Since opening its doors in February 2009, Eagle Rock Community Acupuncture has provided affordable acupuncture, so it is accessible to more people. This is a good option for those who enjoy receiving acupuncture in a group setting or looking for something more affordable.
2042 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
7. Center Point Community Acupuncture
As a community acupuncture center, they offer acupuncture in a group setting on a sliding scale of $25 to $40 per follow-up treatment. This is a great option for general detox and stress relief.
6424 Coldwater Canyon Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91606
Holistic Addiction Treatment at Muse
Muse Treatment Center in Los Angeles, California, is a holistic addiction recovery center that goes beyond treating the signs of addiction and aims to treat the person as a whole. This process includes providing a wide variety of holistic and alternative medicines, like acupuncture, to tailor every treatment plan for each individual, along with traditional treatment methods such as cognitive therapy.
We emphasize using dual diagnosis when treating addiction and will help heal anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health disorders. After an initial intake, their specialized team will work together to recommend the best addiction treatment plan for you or your loved one, which can look like inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient program, or intensive outpatient care.
If you or a loved one is suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, please do not hesitate to contact us at (800) 426-1818 today. One of our addiction specialists will be happy to answer any questions you may have or get you started on the road to recovery.
