Blackheath Complementary Health Centre
Therapies: Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the main branches of Oriental medicine and has been practised for thousands of years in China, Japan and other Eastern countries.
This profound system of medicine is rooted in the principals of Taoism. According to Taoist philosophy, health is dependant on the smooth and unimpeded flow of vital energy or Qi, which runs through our bodies in an interconnected web of channels.
Qi has two aspects Yin and Yang. These equal and opposite forces are interdependent and in a constant state of dynamic balance. This is observable in nature and the changing seasons, day turns into night, summer into winter.
People are healthy when the flow of Qi is balanced and harmonious. Disease occurs when Qi becomes blocked or depleted. Many factors can diminish and obstruct our Qi - lifestyle, diet, environment, weather, stress, unresolved or overwhelming emotions, trauma, infections, hereditary factors and so on.
The principal of acupuncture is to restore equilibrium to the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual. Very fine sterile needles are inserted into points found along the channels to stimulate the bodies own healing response and to restore its natural balance.
Oriental medicine has always been concerned with maintaining health as well as treating disease- prevention is preferable to cure! Health is defined as a vital and dynamic state of well-being rather than merely an absence of symptoms.
What happens when you come for treatment?
When you first come for treatment a full case history will be taken.You will be asked questions about your past history, family, your lifestyle, digestion, sleeping patterns and emotional state as well as questions relating to your main complaint.
Your acupuncturist may ask to see your tongue, the structure, colour and coating of which give a good guide to your health. They will also feel the pulses at your wrists noting the quality, strength, rhythm and speed. The tongue and pulses give a clear picture of the energetic state of the internal organs and vital substances of the body.
Your acupucturist will gather together all of this information and make a precise diagnosis according to the principals of oriental medicine. Once a diagnosis has been made, they will design a course of treatment appropriate to your individual needs.
Needles are inserted either for a second or two or retained for a period of time, twenty minutes is the average.
Your acupuncturist may supplement treatment with the use of a smoldering herb called moxa which warms the points. Cupping, gua sha and electro acupuncture may be used by your practitioner for certain conditions.
What does acupuncture feel like?
Unfortunatley most peoples experience of needles has been unpleasant such as injections and blood tests. Acupuncture needles are nothing like these. They are very fine and solid rather than hollow.
When acupuncture needles are inserted patients often describe a feeling of tingling or a dull ache. This sensation usually passes after a couple of minutes and you are left with a generally heavy relaxed feeling in your body. Often patients fall asleep during treatment.
How often will you need treatment?
Every case is different but generally a course of weekly treatments will be prescribed. An initial course of treatments is often six weeks, after which your acupuncturist may reassess your case and either prescribe further weekly or fortnightly treatments. As your health improves treatments are spaced further apart. Some conditions require several monthly maintainence treatments after the initial course of treatment.
In acute cases you may be asked to come for treatment twice a week initially and the course of treatment is shorter. In chronic long term problems the course of treatment is longer.
What conditions respond well to acupuncture treat?
Many people are now aware of the benefits of acupuncture. Recent research has shown the effectiveness of acupuncuture for conditions such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, migraine, nausea and fertility issues.
While modern research into acupuncture is just beginning, historically acupuncture has been well documented and has demonstrated it’s effectiveness in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including:
Musculoskeletal problems including back pain,sciatica,scoliosis,RSI, frozen shoulder, sports injuries, sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, muscular tension and stiffness
Rhematological conditions including osteoathritis and rhematoid athritis
Respiratory disorders including asthma, chronic cough, hayfever and sinusitis