Acupuncture and Herbs for Hair Loss in Beaverton, Oregon

Hair loss, alopecia, is a common condition affecting millions worldwide. It can be a source of significant distress and embarrassment, impacting one’s self-esteem and confidence. While many medical treatments are available for hair loss, many people in Beaverton turn to natural therapies, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, for relief.

Types of Hair Loss

There are many types of hair loss, each with its own cause and treatment options. Some of the most common types of hair loss include:

Androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness): This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women. A combination of genetic and hormonal factors causes it.
Alopecia areata: This autoimmune disorder causes the immune system to attack hair follicles, leading to hair loss in patches.
Telogen effluvium: This is a form of temporary hair loss that various factors, such as stress, illness, or childbirth, can cause.

Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Hair Loss

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points of the body. It works by stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms. There are several mechanisms by which acupuncture may be beneficial for hair loss, including:

Improved blood circulation to the scalp: This can help to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, which are necessary for hair growth.
Reduced inflammation: Inflammation plays a role in some types of hair loss. Acupuncture can help reduce inflammation by promoting the release of endorphins, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Modulation of the immune system: Acupuncture may help modulate the immune system, benefiting people with alopecia areata.
Relief of stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety can contribute to hair loss. Acupuncture can help to relieve stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and releasing endorphins.

Evidence for Acupuncture for Hair Loss

A growing body of evidence supports the use of acupuncture for hair loss. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that acupuncture can effectively promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. For example, one study found that acupuncture was more effective than minoxidil, a topical medication for hair loss, in promoting hair growth in people with alopecia areata.

Another study found that acupuncture was more effective than a placebo in reducing hair loss in people with androgenetic alopecia. While more research is needed, the available evidence suggests that acupuncture may be a safe and effective treatment for some types of hair loss.

Acupuncture Treatment for Hair Loss

A typical hair-loss acupuncture treatment involves 10-12 sessions over 6-8 weeks, depending on each person’s constitutions and causes. The acupuncture points will vary depending on the individual’s diagnosis and treatment plan. Some of the most commonly used acupuncture points for hair loss include:

LI4 (Hegu): This point is located on the hand between the thumb and index finger. It generally affects the body’s qi (vital energy).
GB20 (Wind Pool): This point is located on the back of the neck. It improves blood circulation to the scalp.
TE14 (Yintang): This point is located between the eyebrows. It relieves stress and anxiety.
SP6 (Sanyiniao): This point is located on the inner ankle. It strengthens the spleen and kidney, which play a role in hair growth.

Other Modalities

In addition to acupuncture, other modalities may treat hair loss, such as:

Moxibustion: This involves burning a herb called mugwort on the skin. Moxibustion warms the body and promotes blood circulation.
Cupping: This involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. Cupping relieves pain and inflammation.
Herbal medicine: Dr. Kihyon Sohn in Beaverton, Oregon, prescribes customized herbal formulas for each patient’s need. He focuses on addressing what is deficient or excessive in the body. Addressing the body’s requirements leads to resolving the chief complaint, hair loss.

Safety of Acupuncture and Herbs for Hair Loss

Dr. Kihyon Sohn uses the thinnest Acupuncture needles on the market and treats the organs out of balance based on pulses.

He prescribes natural herbal granules based on diagnosis. He stresses that combined treatment of acupuncture and herbs brings out the best results for hair loss.

Acupuncture and herbs are among the safest therapies of traditional Asian medicine.