By: Nena Watkins, Licensed Acupuncturist, Lac, Oak Cliff Acupuncture

If you have had a car accident and are still experiencing symptoms, you may want to try acupuncture!  People are often surprised to know that Personal Injury Protection through car insurance covers acupuncture.  The quicker you get treatment the quicker you will recover.  Also, insurance claims only stay open a few weeks.  But even if your accident was years ago, and no longer covered by insurance, acupuncture can still help you feel better!

Acupuncture treats the flow of energy in your body. During an automobile collision, your body absorbs some of the impact.  The energy from the collision can interfere with the natural, healing energy that usually circulates in your body to keep you healthy.  Your energy, or Qi, is necessary for healing to occur.  When it is blocked from an area, people experience recurrence of symptoms or pain in that area.  Acupuncture is a safe and effective way to bring Qi to your injury, promoting healing from within.

Many people find that they experience only temporary relief after a massage; or they have to continue physical therapy for months to get moderate relief.  These protocols focus on the body, not the Qi.  Acupuncture moves your Qi.  When Qi flows, the body is healthy.  Acupuncture, in addition to other treatments you are doing, will help those treatments last longer and benefit you holistically.  People often have noticeable relief after the first acupuncture treatment.  Although a few treatments may be necessary to fully alleviate your symptoms, people report they feel improvement with each session.

Aside from the physical injuries you may have sustained from the auto accident, there are emotional stresses as well.  Often people are asked to go to doctors who suggest physical therapy. The time it takes to do all the treatments and the mounting bills associated with them can be overwhelming.  Weeks of ongoing pain plus increased stress can start a downward spiral for many.

Often people report limited improvement in their injury and increased stress reactions like trouble sleeping, depression, or weight gain.  Treatment or medications for those symptoms may not be covered by insurance and may require more doctors. However, acupuncture and Chinese herbs are helpful with all symptoms, not only your pain.

In some cases, the injuries may have been severe and warranted surgery.  Acupuncture is helpful in recovery after surgery.  It helps by bringing the body’s Qi to the area. The Qi then promotes healing. Acupuncture can reduce the discomfort and recovery time after a surgery. Another great plus for acupuncture is that it helps to reduce scars.

Most people are surprised that acupuncture can help with whiplash, neck pain, back pain, other pain, numbness, tingling and limited range of motion.  It may seem weird to use an ancient therapy for a modern problem like a car accident.  Luckily, even though cars are modern, the human body has been the same for thousands of years.  Regardless of the cause of the pain, acupuncture works fast to reduce it and heal injuries to the body.

By: Nena Watkins, Licensed Acupuncturist, Lac, Oak Cliff Acupuncture located at 208 S Madison Avenue, Bishop Arts Dallas, 214-840-3445.