Acupuncture is a scientifically proven, drug free system of medicine, dating back to China at least 5000 years ago.
In Chinese Medicine the foundation of Acupuncture is the belief in an energy system called qi (pronounced “chee”). This energy is believed to circulate around the body as the bodies “Life Force”. This energy or life forces travels around the body circulating through 12 channels known as meridians. If the flow of energy or qi is disrupted, disease may follow, according to which organ the meridian is related to. According to Chinese Medicine theories acupuncture clears energy blockages that may occur along the meridians and thus stimulate healing.
In the Western or scientific understanding of Acupuncture, it is known that the insertion of the acupuncture needles at specific points along the nerve pathways called dermatones activates the nervous, hormonal and immune systems and muscles in addition to stimulating the release of natural healing hormones. These healing hormones or body's chemicals include the feel good chemicals endorphins and neurotransmitters, which assist with correcting specific imbalances in body function to restore health and overall vitality.
Acupuncture is acknowledged by the World Health Organisation as being effective in the treating and managing of a range of neurological, musculoskeletal, immune, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory and hormaonal disorders.
Acupuncture is used for a variety of health conditions including
• Fatigue and Insomnia
• Stress management and general wellbeing
• Immune problems – colds and flu's, ear infections, sinusitis
• Digestive problems – indigestion, IBS, constipation
• Migraines and headaches
• Hormonal problems – both male and female, menstrual problems, menopause, andropause
• Pain relief – including back, neck, joints
• Musculoskeletal – fibromyalgia, arthritis, tennis elbow
• Allergies and Hayfever
• Depression and anxiety
• Aid in weight loss
• Aid in Detoxification
What to expect when you have an acupuncture session
Your practitioner will first gather information from you regarding your initial health concern. Then they are able to work on a treatment plan to best suit your needs.
The number of needles they use varies greatly form person to person and treatment to treatment. It all depends on the condition and symptoms. On average between 5 and 15 needles are used in a treatment.
The needles are then generally left in from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the condition and the patient's comfort levels.
Your acupuncturist may not just treat with needles!
Together with the acupuncture treatment a patient's dietary intake and lifestyle factors are discussed in relation to the specific health concern, to ensure that the whole persons health and causative factors are considered. Often along with treatment your practitioner will also prescribe herbal medicine or specific nutrients or nutrient combinations to complement the treatment. These will all depend on the individual health needs of the person.
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupoints) along the body's meridians. Stimulating these acu-points clears the energy blockage and encourages normal flow of qi through the body. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy electro-stimulation and massage, in order to re-establish the flow of qi