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What Are the Benefits of Acupuncture for Sweating?

A. Pasbjerg
A. Pasbjerg

For people who suffer from excessive sweating, a condition called hyperhidrosis, acupuncture may offer relief and help them avoid more invasive medical procedures or medications. Using acupuncture for sweating can be particularly beneficial because a trained acupuncturist should be able to evaluate the person's particular situation and design a treatment plan to address the specific issues he or she has. The technique may be used to directly affect an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which can directly cause excessive sweating, or for other conditions of which sweating is just a symptom. Acupuncture can also help relieve stress and decrease anxiety, which can exacerbate or even trigger problems with sweating too much.

One of the main benefits of acupuncture is that it offers an alternative to medical treatments, which can involve exposure to chemicals, drugs, or even surgery. Hyperhidrosis sufferers using traditional medical treatments may be exposed to strong chemicals in antiperspirants or risk side effects from using prescription drugs. In extreme cases, surgery may even be recommended to stop the activity of the sympathetic nerve, a procedure called endoscopic thoracic surgery. These treatments can not only be invasive or unpleasant, but may also o not explore the particular situation of each patient.

Acupuncture is an alternative to other medical treatments, such as medication.
Acupuncture is an alternative to other medical treatments, such as medication.

The application of acupuncture for sweating depends on the underlying cause of the issue. Those who have primary hyperhidrosis sweat excessively for no known reason, though the condition is thought to result from overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Others may suffer from secondary hyperhidrosis, where their sweating is caused by another disease or condition such as hyperthyroidism. One of the main reasons that acupuncture can be extremely effective as a form of treatment for sweating is that the practitioner will evaluate what is causing it prior to treatment. He or she will then apply needles to the appropriate nerve points, or dermatomes, to address that specific problem, as opposed to simply giving the same treatment to everyone.

Acupuncture should be performed by a trained professional.
Acupuncture should be performed by a trained professional.

Using acupuncture for sweating can also help address an issue that often contributes to the problem, namely stress. For some people, feeling anxious or stressed can trigger an attack. For others, it may simply make the problem worse. Excessive sweating can also make sufferers feel more anxiety as it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Used properly, acupuncture can help balance the body's energy and reduce the stress a patient is feeling, which can lead to decreased sweating, and therefore even less stress from worrying about it.

Discussion Comments

burcinc

@ZipLine-- Unfortunately, acupuncture didn't work for me. I think this therapy is a hit or miss. I do think that acupuncture reduces stress, anxiety and is good for overall health. So if sweating is caused by these issues, acupuncture might work.

It also might be that I didn't try acupuncture long enough. I've heard that it can take longer to see effects in some people. I think you should give it a try though. If your only option is surgery, you have nothing to lose with acupuncture.

ZipLine

@SarahGen-- Thanks for sharing your experience. I also have excessive sweating and nothing is working. My doctor suggested surgery and I really don't want that. I might try acupuncture. But will the sweating return after I stop acupuncture therapy?

SarahGen

I have hyperhidrosis and after trying various prescription medications and creams, I decided to try acupuncture. I'm so glad that I did.

I've only had three sessions, but I'm already seeing a difference in how much I sweat. It's getting less! My acupuncturist is very experienced and he's treating me with Chinese herbs along with acupuncture. He really knows what he's doing.

If anyone else is suffering from hyperhidrosis, please give acupuncture a try. It's kind of expensive but it's definitely worth the cost in my view.

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    • Acupuncture is an alternative to other medical treatments, such as medication.
      By: Denis Dryashkin
      Acupuncture is an alternative to other medical treatments, such as medication.
    • Acupuncture should be performed by a trained professional.
      By: Trish23
      Acupuncture should be performed by a trained professional.
    • A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.
      By: Anita Potter
      A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.
    • Acupuncture is sometimes helpful.
      By: Cora Reed
      Acupuncture is sometimes helpful.
    • Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating.
      By: Rido
      Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating.
    • The use of acupuncture for sweating depends on the underlying cause of the issue.
      By: Alfred Wekelo
      The use of acupuncture for sweating depends on the underlying cause of the issue.
    • The face is a common area for excessive sweating.
      By: camrocker
      The face is a common area for excessive sweating.
    • With the exception of pregnant women, most people have few if any side effects from acupuncture.
      By: Max Tactic
      With the exception of pregnant women, most people have few if any side effects from acupuncture.