{"id":2813,"date":"2025-11-20T17:25:22","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T17:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/what-is-acupuncture\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T17:40:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:40:53","slug":"what-is-acupuncture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/what-is-acupuncture\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Acupuncture?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Acupuncture<\/strong> is one of the main therapies of <strong>Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)<\/strong> and aims to restore the natural balance of body and mind. By <strong>inserting fine needles into strategic points<\/strong>, this ancient technique stimulates the body's innate self-regulation mechanisms, promoting physical, emotional and energetic well-being. <\/p>\n\n<p>Recognized by <strong>UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2010)<\/strong> and recommended by the <strong>World Health Organization (WHO)<\/strong>, acupuncture is widely used around the world, including in Portugal, for its <strong>scientifically proven therapeutic effects<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduces pain and inflammation (analgesic and anti-inflammatory action)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relaxes muscles and improves circulation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthens immunity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regulates the nervous and hormonal systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relieves anxiety, stress and depression<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promotes sleep and general well-being<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does acupuncture work on the body?<\/h2>\n\n<p>According to modern medicine, the effects of acupuncture are explained by the <strong>neurochemical model of the human body<\/strong>. Stimulation of the nerve endings by the needles triggers the release of <strong>neuropeptides and neurotransmitters<\/strong>, such as endorphins and serotonin, which..: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increase blood flow and local oxygenation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve tissue regeneration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Balance the <strong>immune, nervous and endocrine<\/strong> systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>This approach explains why <strong>acupuncture has a global effect<\/strong>, acting on various systems in the body, and not just at the site of application.<\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Acupuncture without needles: is it possible?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Yes. For those who prefer an alternative without needles, acupuncture can be performed using <strong>laser or electro-stimulation<\/strong>, which trigger the same neurological and therapeutic responses. These options are especially suitable for children, people with needle phobia or sensitive skin.  <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does acupuncture hurt?<\/h2>\n\n<p>No. The <strong>needles used are very fine<\/strong>, sterile and silicone-coated. The application is practically painless, although some people may feel a slight sting or pressure on more sensitive points. In general, patients report a feeling of <strong>deep relaxation and well-being<\/strong> during and after the session.   <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pathologies and conditions treated with acupuncture<\/h2>\n\n<p>Acupuncture is recommended by the <strong>WHO<\/strong> for dozens of pathologies, covering multiple systems:<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Circulatory system<\/h3>\n\n<p>Hypertension; Angina pectoris; Arteriosclerosis; Anemia and Cold hands and feet syndrome.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Digestive system<\/h3>\n\n<p>Irritable bowel syndrome; gastrointestinal spasms; colitis, constipation and diarrhea; food allergies; ulcers; gastritis; heartburn; abdominal colic; gallstones and hemorrhoids.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Respiratory system<\/h3>\n\n<p>Asthma; Bronchitis; Colds and flu; Emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Urinary system<\/h3>\n\n<p>Urinary infections; renal colic; kidney stones; urinary incontinence; male and female infertility and sexual dysfunctions.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gynecological system and obstetrics<\/h3>\n\n<p>Premenstrual syndrome; Menstrual pain; Endometriosis; Polycystic ovaries; Menopause; Pregnancy complications; Morning sickness; Miscarriage; Irregular periods and Hormonal disorders.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nervous system and psychology<\/h3>\n\n<p>Anxiety; Insomnia; Depression; Stress; Difficulty concentrating and remembering; Tobacco, alcohol and drugs.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Musculoskeletal and neurological system<\/h3>\n\n<p>Arthritis, arthrosis and gout; sciatica; back, knee and shoulder pain; tendinitis; cervicalgia; trigeminal neuralgia; paralysis; headaches and migraines; strokes and fibromyalgia.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Endocrine system<\/h3>\n\n<p>Obesity and Diabetes<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dermatology<\/h3>\n\n<p>Acne; Eczema; Urticaria; Zone and Psoriasis<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Otorhinolaryngology and ophthalmology<\/h3>\n\n<p>Otitis; sore throat and tonsillitis; sinusitis and allergic rhinitis; ear sensitivity, pain and dryness.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oncology<\/h3>\n\n<p>Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.<\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Acupuncture at Essence Prime Care<\/h2>\n\n<p>At <strong>Essence Prime Care<\/strong>, acupuncture is integrated into a personalized therapeutic plan, in harmony with <strong>Integrative Chinese Medicine and the holistic view of health<\/strong>. The aim is to take care of the root and not just the symptom, promoting physical, emotional and energetic balance. <strong>Discover the benefits of acupuncture in Portugal<\/strong> with an experienced team dedicated to your well-being. <\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Book your diagnostic appointment<\/strong> and start on your path to regeneration and balance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Acupuncture is one of the main therapies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and aims to restore the natural balance of body and mind. By inserting fine needles into strategic points, this ancient technique stimulates the body&#8217;s innate self-regulation mechanisms, promoting physical, emotional and energetic well-being. Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2010) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2797,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[157],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2813","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sem-categoria-pt"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2813"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2813\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2814,"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2813\/revisions\/2814"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essenceprimecare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}