What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a complete medical system that has been used in East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.) for thousands of years to treat a wide range of health problems. In Western countries, it is fast becoming an alternative treatment option for a variety of health complaints.
It involves the use of very fine sterile needles that are inserted into specific points on the body. The acupuncture points are located across the whole body, from head to toe. Each acupoint is connected to another by a channel, called a meridian, to activate Qi (pronounced chee), or energy, to restore balance and good health.
What is the background and history of acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used in the Far East to restore, promote and maintain good health for over 2,500 years. It is thought to have originated from massage, where people would massage a point on the body and notice an affect in another part of the body. This then translated into needles made from bronze, silver and gold.
The earliest known texts describing acupuncture goes back to 198BC that were found in the Ma-Wang-Dui tomb in China, whilst the first known medical textbook was ‘The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine’, which dates from around 300 BC and is still in use to this day.
How does acupuncture work?
From an Eastern perspective, ancient Chinese theory believes acupuncture treatment works by regulating the body’s flow of energy and bodily fluids such as blood flow and yin and yang on the human body. By stimulating specific points with a needle or finger, it elicits a healing response somewhere else in the body.
From a Western perspective, acupuncture points stimulate the central nervous system, which in turn releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities, promote physical and emotional well-being. Evidence based research has shown that it has a benefit upon the immune system, regulating hormones, including stress and fertility and act upon the brain to reduce pain.
What does acupuncture feel like... and does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are inserted to a point that produces a sensation of tingling or pulling, or a sense of heaviness or numbness. This sensation has been coined the termed ‘De Qi’, where the Qi (energy) is being drawn to the point where the needles is placed. To stimulate the points during the treatment, the needles may be heated, or a small electric current may be applied to them. Some people report acupuncture makes them feel energized whilst others say that it makes them feel calm and relaxed.
Since the needles are very fine, around 10 times finer than a hypodermic needle, most people report feeling minimal pain as the needle is inserted.
What can acupuncture help with?
Acupuncture is used to optimize good health, both in a preventative measure, as well as treating both the symptoms and cause of illness. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends acupuncture for the following diseases, symptoms or conditions, because acupuncture has been proven through controlled trials and/or has shown to have a therapeutic effect:
Pain: Abdominal, Facial, Fibromyalgia, Knee, Lower back, Neck (including stiffness), Spine. Headaches and Migraines.
Musculoskeletal Conditions: Fasciitis (Plantar and Necrotizing), Sciatica, Sprains, Tennis elbow
Bone and Joint Health: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mental and Emotional Health: Depression, Insomnia, Schizophrenia
Women’s Health: Female infertility, Dysmenorrhea, Premenstrual syndrome, Polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein–Leventhal syndrome), Urethral syndrome, Morning sickness, Labour pain, Labour induction, Lactation deficiency, Chloasma
Men’s Health: Prostatitis, Sexual dysfunction
Kidney and Bladder Health: Recurrent lower urinary-tract infection, Urine retention, Urolithiasis, Neuropathic bladder, Renal cholic (kidney stone pain)
Digestive and Bowel health: Colitis (chronic and ulcerative), Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent), Irritable colon syndrome, Gastritis, Gastroenteritis, Gastrointestinal spasm, Peptic ulcer
Ears, Eyes, Nose and Throat Health: Eye pain, Earache, Meniere’s disease, Rhinitis, Hay fever, Tonsilitis, Sore throat
Cancer Care: Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, cancer pain
Heart and Circulatory Health: Pulmonary heart disease, Stroke, Hypertension, Hypotension, Vascular dementia, Cardiac neurosis
Skin Health: Acne, Neurodermitis, Neuralgia (post herpetic), Pruritus
Respiratory Health: Bronchial asthma
Autoimmune disorders: Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren
Drug rehabilitation: Alcohol, Tobacco, Heroin, Opium and Cocaine dependency
Other: Postoperative convalescence, Bell’s palsy, Nausea and Vomiting
Treatment cost
Initial treatment (75 mins) £70
Follow-up treatments (45 mins) £55
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at my first appointment?
We will take a comprehensive case history to determine how we can help you. This will include information about your current symptoms, past medical problems and general health. We will then take a tongue and pulse assessment, which is an integral part of Traditional Acupuncture diagnosis.
Do I need to get undressed?
Many acupuncture points are located on the arms and legs so can be accessed with the sleeves and trousers rolled up. However, some points on the shoulders, chest and back require a degree of undressing, in which case a sarong, or lightweight cloth is used for both comfort and privacy.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on the severity and longevity of the complaint. Some people only need a single treatment whilst others require a series. On average, 4 to 8 sessions are recommended, either weekly or bi-weekly, to achieve the best results.
Will it hurt?
Since the needles are very fine, around 10 times finer than a hypodermic needle, most people report feeling minimal pain as the needle is inserted.
Will there be bleeding?
As many of the blood vessels are under the skin a pin prick of blood can occasionally be released on the removal of the needle, which is then removed with aid of a cotton pad.
What if you can't fix my problem?
A growing body of evidenced-based clinical research shows that Traditional Acupuncture safely treats a wide range of common health complaints. However, if after a few sessions, there has not been a noticeable improvement, we will discuss potential options and point you in the right direction.
Andrew Kingsley
Acupuncture
