While we all may wish that acne was only a problem for our teenage years, it can persist at any age. Acne, which occurs when sebaceous glands under the skin are infected or inflamed, can be irritating and painful as well as damaging to self-esteem. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been used to treat skin conditions for thousands of years and restore self-confidence!
What causes acne?
Many skin conditions like acne are the result of internal imbalances. These internal imbalances include:
poor circulation
inflammation
stress
hormones
diet
insufficient sweating
Externally, a particularly damp or dry environment can contribute to acne. Whereas Western treatment of acne takes a "one size fits all" approach, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment is customized to the individual.
How does Acupuncture help?
Acupuncture stimulates the immune and endocrine systems to aid in the flushing of the toxins and bacteria in the body that lead to the overproduction of oil in the skin and blocked glands. It also increases microcirculation and decreases inflammation. Skin will heal more quickly as inflammation eases and blood flow to the affected areas improves.
In one study from the Beijing Daxing hospital, acupuncture had a 94.17% effective rate for treating acne.
Combining Acupuncture with Chinese Herbs
Chinese herbal medicine also targets internal imbalances to solve the root causes of acne. The herbs most often used to treat skin conditions have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties that clear the skin as well as keeping the internal condition from returning. Western acne treatments only address the visible symptoms. Due to the complexity of herbal ingredients and their combining effects, TCM is a more targeted and balanced treatment than treatment based on isolated active ingredients.
Chinese Medicine and Dietary Changes
In addition to an herbal regimen and acupuncture, TCM also recommends dietary changes to reduce inflammation and improve skin conditions. People suffering from acne should avoid alcohol, shellfish, spicy or fried foods, and refined sugars. Leafy green vegetables and colorful fruits should be added into the diet. Depending on the root causes of the acne, your practitioner may recommend additional adjustments.
By addressing each person's experience with acne individually and customizing their treatment, Traditional Chinese Medicine provides a more effective solution than Western medicine.
Had enough of battling acne? Call us at (321) 972-2940 to schedule your initial health consultation today and let us clear your skin for good!
Sources:
Health CMI. (n.d.) "Chinese Medicine Dietetics For Acne & Skin." Retrieved from http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Blog/749-acnekunbu
Health CMI. (January 29, 2017). "Acupuncture Acne Treatment Protocol Found Effective." Retrieved from http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1712-acupuncture-acne-found
Pacific College. (August 23, 2014). "Treating Skin Conditions - Traditional Chinese Medicine." Retrieved from https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2014/08/23/treating-skin-conditions-traditional-chinese-medicine