The link between tattoos and acupuncture
In each case, tattoos are considered to have certain health benefits-the most obvious is pain relief. Krutak also noticed the similarities between the classic acupuncture points and the locations of these tattoos. Here, we explore the connection between the two.
If you still don't understand, acupuncture is a free treatment derived from Chinese medicine. This process involves inserting fine needles in certain parts of the body to prevent or alleviate certain medical problems.
Micro-damages in the skin can trigger several body reactions. Release of neuropeptides such as white blood cells, amino acids and serotonin can down-regulate pain, reduce inflammation, fight infection and increase local circulation when injured. Although the tattooing process is different in several ways, it promotes a very similar response.
Although tattoos usually involve the use of a machine that pierces the skin with multiple needles at a small depth at the same time, the irritation that occurs can also provide a therapeutic effect. Therefore, tattooing has been compared with electroacupuncture.
A study in the American Journal of Human Biology also found that tattoos can strengthen your immune system. Your body responds to the tattooing process by attacking an unfamiliar substance (ink). In this process, the body produces important antibodies. Over time, these help strengthen your immune system. The body eventually receives the ink, the skin heals, and the tattoo becomes a permanent feature.
Other health benefits of tattoos
In addition to improving immunity, tattoos are also associated with many other health benefits, including reducing stress. Studies have shown that people with multiple tattoos have lower levels of cortisol-stress hormone. In addition, the release of adrenaline and endorphins attached to the tattoo means that some people are actually enjoying the painful process!
In contemporary culture, the medical effects of tattoos are usually more focused on improving health than on physical health benefits. Tattoos are ultimately a form of creative self-expression, depending on the individual, with various meanings. For some people, tattoos are a decorative way to enhance self-confidence. Others hope to commemorate someone or something meaningful to them through a permanent artwork.
Perhaps the most interesting is the increasing use of tattoos to help the wearer overcome past traumas. Tattoo artist Paul Booth explained: “Survival, painful patience and images that ultimately represent your past experience can be cured. The result is that you feel empowered because you have suffered and survived.”
In this sense, tattoos can be understood as a form of alternative therapy, a bit like acupuncture. Except this time, the pain resolved was not physical. On the contrary, the healing power of tattoos comes from helping the wearer deal with deeper emotional pain. As Paul said, in this case, tattoos enhance emotional power by enduring physical painful experiences.
It is this treatment effect that highlights the change in people's attitudes towards medical tattoos. Few people now rely on tattoos to improve their physical diseases, and most people do not believe in the healing power of ancient tattooing practices.
Instead, tattooing is now a way for the wearer to improve the overall health of the wearer. This may be due to the freedom of self-expression or the increased confidence that the new ink brings. However, the medicinal value of contemporary tattoos may be as simple as providing a sealing effect. Now it seems that this is the real healing power that tattoos provide to the wearer.
