About Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Thought to have originated in ancient China, acupuncture is the technique of inserting and manipulating fine needles into specific points on the body to restore health and natural balance. Recognised for its holistic value and its particular effectiveness in relieving pain, it is one of the more popular complementary therapies to have reached the western world.
Acupuncture is a holistic approach to health based on over 2000 years of developments in the Far East, focusing on improving the overall well-being of the patient by stimulating the body's own healing response in a gentle yet effective way.
What does acupuncture feel like?
The needles used are very fine and most people do not feel them being inserted other than a brief tap on the skin. The sensation after that is usually described as warm or tingling, with a heaviness in the limbs that should be pleasant and relaxing. In certain points a dull ache may be felt; if there is any pain beyond this the needle will be removed after a short time. Needles can be left in situ for up to 20 minutes, being manipulated occasionally.
Is acupuncture safe?
Most practitioners in the UK abide by the ethical code of practice as set out by the British Acupuncture Council, the most respected professional body in Britain, and also by those stated in local bye-laws, to very high standards of hygiene and protection. Needles are sterile and only used once, within the confines of the treatment room.
All procedures within the BAcC are approved by the Department of Health to provide protection against the transmission of infectious diseases. Members are covered by Medical Malpractice and Public/ Products Liability insurance.
As a treatment, acupuncture is safe to use in conjunction with western medicine but patients should always inform their doctors and practitioners of any medication and other treatments or therapies that they are currently taking.
A to Z
Acupuncture can be effective in relieving the symptoms of many problems and conditions, including:
- Asthma, anxiety, arthritic pain
- Back pain, biliousness
- Cough, constipation, catarrh, cramps
- Digestive problems, dieting, diarrhoea
- Eczema, earache, energy levels, emotional problems
- Fibrositis, 'flu, fear, fatigue
- Gastric reflux, giving up...(smoking, alcohol), grief
- Hayfever, hot flushes, headaches
- IBS, insomnia, indigestion
- Joints (injury, pain or stiffness)
- Knee pain
- Lifting the spirit, lethargy
- Menopause, migraine, menstrual problems
- Nausea, neck pain, Numbness
- Osteoarthritic pain
- Pain, panic attacks, PMT, prevention of ill-health
- Qi - the fundamental life force concept in Chinese culture
- Rheumatic pain, relaxation
- Sinusitis, sciatica, stress, skin disorders, sleep problems
- Tinnitus,tense muscles, tiredness
- Under-the-weather
- Verrucae
- Water retention, withdrawal symptoms, restoring well-being
- Xerophthalmia (dry eye)
- Yin & Yang - the Chinese concept of two primal balancing forces found in every object and process in the universe
- Zits!