Taking a spa and pamper break for some acupuncture treatment will alleviate depression and pain, according to a new study.
Dr Mike Cummings, medical director at the British Medical Acupuncture Society, said that brain imaging studies over the last ten years have shown that the alternative therapy results in decreased activity in some of the primitive parts associated with pain, suffering and mood.
"Acupuncture also has effects on sensory nerves in the spinal cord and in nerve endings around the area stimulated," he added.
He also claimed that because of these mechanisms, acupuncture appears to be effective at treating pain and the suffering related to it.
His words come after research published in Brain Research showed that parts of the brain responsible for processing pain were deactivated when the Chinese spa and pamper break therapy was given.
A further study in the journal suggested that acupuncture could fight depression in pregnant women.
Learn more about the choice of spa and pamper weekends available
Posted by Rob Stanworth
