Of all the non-conventional ways to treat hair loss, you’ll probably find acupuncture as the most interesting. It is not something everyone would be willing to try, but those who have experienced it claim it is a very rewarding, and effective, non-invasive treatment.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice. The Chinese believe that this method helps return the body’s energy to a balanced state. It is an energy-focused healing method that involves pricking needles over the body (on the skin) on several different acupuncture points to treat various ailments. How deep the needles are penetrating depends on the afflicted part of the body and the severity of the ailment, but in most cases the puncture is moderately shallow.
How can Acupuncture help with hair loss?
In the traditional Chinese healing, hair is related to other more vital parts of the body as the internal organs and the blood. The needles puncture key points of your head to improve blood circulation and distribution of the energy flow. It stimulates your hair follicles, as well as particular nerves and blood vessels of the head.
Treating a hair loss with acupuncture technique is a long-term process, which requires a lot of patience and dedication. No miracles should be expected overnight.
Acupuncture treatment it is often accompanied by the intake of herbal formulas or topical ointments for the scalp. Also, hot towel massages are another method used to stimulate the blood flow throughout the body.
This kind of treatment can also alleviate the pain of damaged skin caused by hair loss conditions like traction alopecia. Acupuncture can significantly ease the discomfort of the painful swellings, itchiness and sometimes even inflammation caused by traction alopecia.
Things to be considered before treatment
It is common for people to lose hair on a daily basis, with some strands falling off each day. It’s also normal for your hair to grow thin over time, especially during the natural process of aging. What makes hair loss a condition for some people is when you are losing hair in clumps rather than strands.
There are a number of reasons why people suffer from hair loss at age far too young for receding hairlines:
- Heredity – Most common reason for hair loss is genetics. You can tell this is so if one or both of your parents experienced the same in their younger years.
- Medication – Drugs can also cause hair loss, as a part of its side effect, like chemotherapy as an example.
- Pregnancy – If you have ever been pregnant, you will understand why hair loss takes place. During pregnancy, most of your body’s nutrients are sent to nourish the unborn child, hence the messed up hormones and hair loss.
- Medical Conditions – There are many kinds of conditions that can cause significant hair loss. Thyroid disease, anemia, protein deficiency, and low vitamin levels may cause hair loss.
You may have to seek professional help and treatment if you feel that pregnancy, medication or heredity is not the cause of your hair loss.
Nevertheless, there are many treatment options you can choose from, and that will suit your preference, among which are non-conventional methods like acupuncture.
Cost and safety implications
Compared to surgical methods and treatments that involve injecting medicine, acupuncture can be far more reasonable. The price range for one session varies for each practitioner, but a set of sessions won’t be as expensive as the dermatologist’s professional fee and prescriptions combined.
This non-conventional healing method, an ancient medical practice has been used by people for hundreds of years. There is no need to worry about the safety of your health with acupuncture, as long as the practitioner is a professional, licensed and experienced. Anyone can try acupuncture. The only precaution you should keep in mind is allergic reactions.
In some sessions, the body is massaged with herbal oil, before or after inserting the needles. It is best to ask what the herbal mixture’s contents are if you have specific allergies. You can also mention to the practitioner what you are allergic to, and that will give him an idea of what to use as an alternative.
Acupuncture for Hair Loss: Is it Worth Trying?
Not everyone is keen on having needles inserted into their bodies, let alone, on their scalps or heads. Of course, it is highly recommended that you ask a dermatologist for advice first, especially if you think that your hair loss is a symptom instead of the condition itself.
All in all, if you are willing to go and treat your hair loss without the use of chemicals, and acupuncture would be one worth the try.
Keep in mind, though; you cannot use acupuncture to reverse complete hair loss. You can only treat the hair loss condition while it is taking place, not when it has left your scalp permanently damaged.
Acupuncture may help reduce the inflammation on your scalp and ease the itchiness, which gives way for your follicles to produce hair again.