What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is part of an ancient and sophisticated form of medical treatment which originated in China more than 2,500 years ago and has increasingly spread throughout the world. It is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical practices in the world today. According to theories of traditional Chinese medicine, the human body has predetermined points with specific anatomical locations, connected via pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine, single-use stainless steel needles at these predetermined Acupuncture points on the body surface to restore internal health. Acupuncture theories today are based on extensive laboratory research and have become widely known and accepted. In addition, controlled studies have shown evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for certain conditions.
Is Acupuncture safe?
In the hands of a fully qualified Registered Acupuncturist, the use of Acupuncture is entirely safe and free of harmful side effects.
Will Acupuncture work for me?
Acupuncture can be used alone or may be safely combined with Western Medicine or other forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It can focus on physical, psychological and emotional disorders with equal effect. There is no limitation in terms of age, sex or condition regarding Acupuncture treatment.
How many Acupuncture treatments will I need?
Individual treatment plans for vary for each patient depending on the nature, severity and duration of the condition. The aim is always to help the patient feel better as soon as possible
Will Acupuncture hurt?
A common assumption about acupuncture is that it hurts. Fear of pain from acupuncture needles is one of the most common reasons people forgo Acupuncture. As the diameters of the needles are about the thickness of a cat’s whiskers, treatments are usually painless.
There are instances where acupuncture needles are inserted without the recipient feeling a thing, however, most of the time acupuncture produces some kind of sensation at the site of needling.
While everyone’s sensation experience is different, the 5 most common descriptions of how acupuncture feels are:
Heavy – It can feel like a weight is being placed on the area. Sometimes this feeling of heaviness expands, spreading throughout the body part where the needle was placed. This heaviness is calming rather than oppressive.
Achy - an achy sensation can occur at the needling site. It usually dissipates after a few seconds, but occasionally a point will ache or throb slightly throughout the treatment.
Electric - The needling of certain acupuncture points can feel like a surprising, travelling jolt that quickly disappears.
Tingly - Acupuncture points can cause tingling at the needling site as well as throughout the body.
Warm - A spreading sensation of warmth in the area around an acupuncture point.
There are instances where acupuncture needles are inserted without the recipient feeling a thing, however, most of the time acupuncture produces some kind of sensation at the site of needling.
While everyone’s sensation experience is different, the 5 most common descriptions of how acupuncture feels are:
Heavy – It can feel like a weight is being placed on the area. Sometimes this feeling of heaviness expands, spreading throughout the body part where the needle was placed. This heaviness is calming rather than oppressive.
Achy - an achy sensation can occur at the needling site. It usually dissipates after a few seconds, but occasionally a point will ache or throb slightly throughout the treatment.
Electric - The needling of certain acupuncture points can feel like a surprising, travelling jolt that quickly disappears.
Tingly - Acupuncture points can cause tingling at the needling site as well as throughout the body.
Warm - A spreading sensation of warmth in the area around an acupuncture point.