January 10, 2009
Acupuncture is part of an integrated system of primary healthcare, known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), that has an uninterrupted history of development dating back thousands of years in China and other parts of East Asia.
The origins of acupuncture in China can be traced back at least two thousand years, making it one of the oldest and most long standing healthcare systems in the world. Today, acupuncture is an effective, natural and increasingly popular form of healthcare that is being used by people from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.
How it Works
Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes and focuses as much on the prevention of illness as on the treatment.
When healthy, an abundant supply of qi (pronounced chee) or “life energy” flows through the body’s meridians (a network of channels through the body). If the flow of qi in the meridians becomes blocked or there is an inadequate supply of qi, then the body fails to maintain harmony, balance and order, and disease or illness follows. This can result from stress, overwork, poor diet, disease pathogens, weather and environmental conditions and other lifestyle factors and becomes evident to TCM practitioners through observable signs of bodily dysfunction. TCM practitioners look carefully for these signs of health and dysfunction, paying particular attention not only to the presenting signs and symptoms, but also to the medical history, general constitution, and the pulse and tongue.
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points along the body’s meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi through the individual. 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.
Conditions Commonly Treated
Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of a wide range of common and not so
common health conditions. It can also assist with general health maintenance and
disease prevention. By strengthening and enhancing normal body functions, the
immune system is regulated and a general sense of wellbeing is promoted.
Some conditions suitable for treatment with acupuncture include:
- Painful conditions (such as headache, migraine, osteoarthritis, renal colic, biliary colic, post-operative pain, dental analgesia)
- Musculoskeletal conditions (such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sports injuries, back and neck pain, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, rheumatism)
- Neurological conditions (such as sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy, stroke sequelae, Bell’s palsy)
- Gynaecological problems (such as painful menstruation, irregular periods, premenstrual syndrome, menopausal syndrome)
- Pregnancy and labour (such as infertility, morning sickness, labour pain, induction of labour, long labour)
- Gastrointestinal disorders (such as nausea, vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, gastric/duodenal ulcer, chronic ulcerative colitis, loss of appetite)
- Ear, nose and throat disorders (such as sinusitis, rhinitis, tonsillitis, sore throat, mouth ulcers, tinnitus, Meniere’s Disease)
- Urogenital disorders (such as prostatitis, impotence, retained urine, urinary tract infection)
- Cardiovascular disorders (such as primary hypotension, high blood pressure, angina pectoris)
- Addictions (such as smoking and drug withdrawals)
- Other conditions include the common cold and influenza, cough, allergies and immunity, gout, anxiety, stress, insomnia and fatigue, and skin disorders.
The Benefits
As a natural form of healthcare, acupuncture has the following benefits:
- Provides drug-free treatment
- Very few side-effects when provided by a qualified practitioner
- Treats the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms
- Provides a holistic approach to the treatment of disease and illness, linking body, mind and emotions
- Assists in the prevention against disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being
What to Expect During a Treatment
Does it hurt? This is the first and most frequently asked question. Most people are surprised that acupuncture doesn’t really hurt. You may feel a slight pin prick when the needle is inserted, followed by a mild distending sensation, tingling, numbness, heaviness, electric sensation or an achy feeling. This is called deqi (“the arrival of qi”). Usually you will not feel the needles once they are left in place as you relax during the treatment.
Are the needles sterile? It is almost uniform across professional practice that pre-sterilised single-use disposable acupuncture needles are used. In this way, there is no risk of transmission of blood-born diseases between patients.
At the initial consultation, details of your current condition as well as your medical, surgical and family history, medication, diet, occupation, and lifestyle are taken. A general physical examination is undertaken and the pulse and tongue are studied. An individualised treatment is administered, based on your particular condition, constitution and general state of health. In follow-up visits, changes are recorded and the treatment adjusted accordingly.
