Can Acupuncture help a Hangover
A hangover is a common consequence of overindulging in alcohol. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to up to 24 hours, depending on the severity of the hangover and the individual’s health. While the symptoms are unpleasant, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers effective treatments, such as acupuncture, to help alleviate discomfort and promote faster recovery.
Signs and Symptoms of a Hangover
Hangovers typically manifest with the following signs:
- Headaches or Migraines: Often a result of dehydration or alcohol’s impact on blood vessels.
- Nausea and Vomiting: The body works to expel the toxins from the alcohol.
- Fatigue: Alcohol disrupts the body's normal sleep cycle, leading to tiredness the next day.
- Dizziness: Dehydration and low blood sugar levels can cause lightheadedness or vertigo.
- Sensitivity to Light or Sound: Overstimulation of the senses is common when recovering from alcohol consumption.
Staying hydrated, eating nourishing foods, and resting are the best remedies. However, acupuncture can offer faster relief and help address the root causes of the symptoms.
TCM Views on Alcohol
In TCM, alcohol is seen as having a heat-inducing property that can affect the liver and digestive systems.
Drinking excessively weakens the body and disrupt the Liver function, generating heat and sometimes fire signs of red face, red tongue, acidity and red eyes.
Alcohol can also contribute to dampness, heat, and toxins, which exacerbate hangover symptoms.
How Acupuncture sees Hangovers
Hot, bothered and inflamed (Liver Heat)
- Excess alcohol consumption can cause the Liver Qi to stagnate and create internal heat.
- It can play havoc with your natural sleep cycle. The myth that people think alcohol helps you sleep is false, it can actually disrupt your sleep even more.
- Symptoms include headaches, irritability, nausea, restlessness or light sleep at night and dry mouth.
- Acupuncture points such as Taichong, Xingjian, Hegu and Quchi can help soothe the Liver and release heat.
Digestive Upset (Damp Heat)
- Drinking too much alcohol can lead to the accumulation of dampness and heat in the body.
- Symptoms include bloating, nausea, and a heavy or foggy feeling in the head and body may show up.
- Points like Yinlingquan and Zusanli can help drain dampness and restore balance.
- I also like to use a very popular acupoint - Yintang to clear the head and calm the mind for a restful sleep that night for hangover patients.
Tiredness + Flat (Deficiency)
- This leads to fatigue, dizziness, and a lack of energy.
- Acupuncture can target acupoints Zusanli and Qihai to build the Qi back up, nourish Spleen and Kidney energy - the main energy production centres in the body.
Acupuncture’s support in Hangover Recovery
Acupuncture can help ease hangover symptoms by:
- Reducing Inflammation: Calm inflammation, such as those affecting the Liver and digestive systems.
- Promoting Detoxification: Clearing toxins, easing the nausea and discomfort associated with a hangover.
- Restoring Energy: Strengthening the body, improving recovery time and helping you feel more balanced and energised.
Acupuncture provides an effective, holistic remedy to speed up recovery from a hangover, while also addressing the root causes behind it. If you're feeling the effects of too much holiday cheer, acupuncture could be a good addition for recovery!
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