Scars can be a constant unsightly memento of surgeries or painful accidents. Treatments to cosmetically conceal them are often time consuming and expensive, and sometimes may require invasive surgery and long recuperation periods. In the United States, acupuncture is more and more being availed of by people to treat a slew of conditions, symptoms, and illnesses including the treatment of scars, particularly ones that cause other dysfunctions in the body and ones that are painful.
What Causes Scarring?
The skin must undergo cellular renewal whenever any layer of the epidermis suffers a cut, tear, or rupture in order to repair the damaged area. In a lot of instances, the new skin does not grow perfectly and this results in scarring. There are several factors that can cause scarring and the magnitude of the scar and its type depend on various factors including how big the original wound is, the direction of the scar, the healing ability of the person, and the manner in which the wound was inflicted.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture is a Chinese method of treatment that’s thousands of years old. It involves the application of tiny solid needles into specific points on the skin called acupoints to treat illness and pain anywhere in the body. It works on the principle that blood and energy or “qi” flow along channels known as meridians. Pain and illness occur when a meridian develops a blockage that stagnates or slows down the flow of qi and blood. Acupuncture needles are used to remove the blockage to restore normal flow resulting in the removal of the pain and illness. The application of the needles for the treatment of scars also triggers the natural healing response of the body.
When to Seek Treatment
Cosmetically speaking, most scars can be annoying and unsightly features of the body. Some scars, however, can lead to dysfunctions in the body and cause pain and therefore need to be treated. If a person has a scar anywhere on the body that is painful to the touch, this could mean a meridian in that area has an interrupted flow of qi or blood that should be properly evaluated and then treated. Seeking treatment for scars on the stomach, back, scalp, neck, and face is especially important because major meridians lie in those areas.
Procedure
Slender acupuncture needles are stuck at various acupoints along the scar, generating a specific response from the body that boosts blood circulation to the area. This stimulates the lymphatic system and causes breakdown of scar tissue and dead skin as well as the disposal of the dead skin cells. Treatment is progressively slow but over time the scar gets to be less noticeable.
Contraindications
Because of risk of infection, scar acupuncture treatment should only begin at least a month after the scar has developed. Cancer patients, diabetics, the elderly and people suffering from neurological disorders require special care when they undergo acupuncture scar treatment. They should look for a qualified acupuncturist who has experience in treating such patients.
Eastern Healing Solutions, LLC
10875 Grandview St #2200
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 549-4322