Why are acupuncturists obsessed with heat?

You may have noticed that your practitioner usually incorporates some type of heat therapy during your treatment. Whether it’s a heated table; a cozy heat lamp on your feet, belly, or back; or an herbal heat therapy called moxa, acupuncturists rightly earn a reputation for being a little heat obsessed!⁠
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We are fans of applying heat to aches and pains instead of ice, and we want our patients to enjoy their beverages warm and their food cooked. ⁠
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Why the obsession with heat? ⁠
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Simply put, heat increases blood flow to the areas it is applied to. If part of the body is painful, injured, and inflamed, heat will amplify the effect of the needles by encouraging blood flow to the target area, which also sweeps away inflammation and brings more healthy cells and helpful enzymes to the tissue.⁠
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Ice might numb things for a while, but it also decreases circulation and makes the healing process more sluggish. ⁠
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We want you to eat and drink warming things because the theory that the body needs heat to support healthy circulation doesn’t just apply to muscles and joints. It works the same way for digestion, your reproductive system, and even your mental health!⁠