Why would you stick needles in your body to treat acne? Surprisingly, because it works. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in China and the East, and one of the benefits is that the skin tends to clear up. Painful cystic acne can leave scars but sufferers may find lasting help using acupuncture to treat their acne. Treatment doesn't involve puncturing your pimples or cysts with needles instead points on the body or ear are selected.

Once, Western medical circles were very sceptical of the Chinese practice of acupuncture (inserting needles into special places on the body called acupuncture points). But after decades of study, it is slowly starting to be embraced by the more progressive conventional as well as alternative healers around the world. While looking painful, it is not. A properly trained acupuncturist knows how to insert the needles painlessly.

One of the ways we know Acupuncture works is that it has been shown to work for animals. Even the owners of racehorses are often now aware of it's value and use. It seems acupuncture sends the animal into a deep state of relaxation, while promoting healing of injury or illness.

Surprisingly it has been shown that acupuncture points are electrically different to surrounding skin and that the electrical characteristics change when organs or tissue related to the acupuncture point are damaged. It appears when the point is needled it increases the energy sent to promote healing of the damage.

An acupuncture treatment can zone in on one specific area of complaint, but often you are asked about your entire medical history so your whole health can be effected. It is this whole health approach that makes true acupuncture an holistic form of treatment.

Acupuncture patients usually find treatment benefits more than the problem they sought help for. They often report relaxing the entire body, calming emotions and reduced stress levels.

Treating acne with acupuncture is not as far-fetched as it might first sound. It seems to help in at least two ways. One is, since it is thought that hormone imbalance can cause the body secrete more oils than it really should. Acupuncture can help regulate your body's hormone output, thus regulating the skins oils and make your skin clearer. The other is, acupuncture is also believed to be effective in stimulating the bodies immune responses which can help deal with the bacteria that cause the acne cysts.

Treating acne with acupuncture isn't a magic cure-all, though. You still have to eat a healthy diet, keep your skin clean and avoid heavy make-up or products that might irritate your skin.

Correcting the imbalance that leads to your acne may take some time but as the results tend to be progressive you should normally see some encouring results in the first few weeks. Acupuncture can also help with other skin diseases like psoriasis, dermatitis and warts.