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What is Acupuncture?
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has a very long history stretching over several thousand years, beginning probably around 3000 BCE. It is a branch of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) that was and is practiced throughout China and the Far East. Diagnostic techniques were developed and refined throughout the millennia.
Energy lines, called meridians, were discovered and described. Each meridian has specific points located on them. These are called acupuncture points and it is here were very fine needles are inserted that affect the flow of vital energy or 'Bio-energy' in the body. This energy is called Qi. Interruption of Qi flow creates illness and causes symptoms. The aim of treatment is to balance the energy flow in the body and enable it to flow smoothly. This enables the body to function at its optimum level and helps maintaining health. The practitioner looks at the symptoms in relation to each other and at each patient as an individual whole, instead of just concentrating on their ‘illness'. Acupuncture diagnosis goes to the root causes of illness and sees body and mind as one unit. Thus it takes mental and spiritual distress into account.
Today, in China whole hospitals and research departments are devoted to the practice of TCM and traditional acupuncture is practiced all over the world. Additionally, research and clinical trials confirm the efficacy of traditional acupuncture.
The first consultation is very similar to the Osteopathic one, except that your pulse will be taken and your tongue will be examined. There will be some extra questions regarding sleeping patterns and emotional state.
For the treatment ultra-fine needles are inserted. This often feels like a tingling, a dull ache or a warm sensation. The needles are single-use, sterile and disposable. If there are side effects they will be mild, like slight dizziness or bruising around needle points that usually disappears quickly.
The initial treatment is usually a course of 5 to 6 sessions. The frequency depends on your individual condition. In the beginning weekly treatments are ideal. This will be spaced out as the symptoms improve.
A whole variety of conditions can be treated with acupuncture. It is suitable for most of us.
What does it feel like? Is it safe?
What does it feel like? Is it safe?
Acupuncture needles are very fine, thinner than a hair! You may feel a slight prick or indeed hardly anything at all when a needle is inserted. Once the needle is in place you may briefly feel a sensation like tingling, a dull ache or warmth spreading. Quite often patients experience a deep feeling of calm and relaxation during treatment.
All needles are are sterile single use and disposable. They have a point configuration, a little bit like a bullet as opposed to the bevelled shaped hypodermic needles used in modern medicine. Under the microscope they have been observed to gently push nerve tendrils aside. This helps avoiding damage to the structures beneath the skin.
Acupuncture is widely regarded as safe and reliable. Mild side effects as dizziness or bruising around the needle insertion can occur but are usually temporary.
How many treatments do I need?
How many treatments do I need?
Initially a course of 5-6 sessions is often recommended. However, frequency depends on you as an individual and the specific problem you are seeking help for. Chronic conditions or problems that that have been there for a long time will need more treatment. For the first few treatments weekly sessions are usually ideal. As symptoms improve the treatments can be spaced out. How quick anyone improves depends on various factors: the condition treated, the general health of the individual, how longstanding the problem has been as well as lifestyle factors.
What can acupuncture be used for? What can it treat?
What can acupuncture be used for? What can it treat?
Often people come as they seek help for specific symptoms or to relieve pain. Sometimes people come because they feel unwell or ‘not right’ but cannot get a diagnosis from their usual care team. At other times it is simply used to enhance their general feeling of wellbeing.
Acupuncture suits all ages and can safely be used alongside conventional treatment.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) did produce a long list of conditions that can be treated with TCM and where it's benefit could be demonstrated. Examples from this list include: Asthma, Bronchitis, Sinusitis, Migraine, Nausea, Indigestion, Constipation, IBS, High blood pressure, Obesity, Diabetes, Neck-Shoulder pain, Back pain, Knee pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Strains and Sprains, PMS, Irregular or Painful Periods, Menopausal Syndrome, Fluid Retention, some Neurological disorders, Dementia, Insomnia, the after effects of cardiovascular accidents as stroke, etc. Additionally, acupuncture is used to help with addictions to Smoking, Alcohol and other substances. However, this document is not available any more. Instead, various documents on acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) standards were released that should help to address issues related to terminology in traditional Chinese medicine and thus help to improve training standards of health professionals and help communication of TCM with the general public.
A document from 2022 can be downloaded here:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240042322
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