Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a safe and effective natural therapy that is used throughout the world to provide pain relief for many physical conditions, including headaches, migraine, menstrual cramps, back pain and sports injuries. It also helps in treating problems such as anxiety, insomnia, poor digestion, infertility and even weight control.

 It involves the insertion of very fine disposable needles into specific points on the body. The objective is to “re-balance” the flow of the body’s energy.

What are the benefits of acupuncture

The benefits frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many people find that the treatment leads to increased energy levels, as well as better appetite and sleep, and an enhanced overall sense of wellbeing. Acupuncture does not have to be used to treat specific symptoms. It can be used simply to maintain good health.

How does acupuncture work

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for more than 2,500 years. In traditional Chinese medicine, energy is called “qi” (pronounced “chi”) and is believed to flow through pathways called channels, or meridians beneath the skin. There are 12 main meridians traversing the entire body, with a total of 365 acupoints on the meridians. The meridians correspond to the 12 months of the year, and the acupoints match the number of days in a year.

The human body can adapt to poor conditions and cope with a great deal of stress. But eventually, if warning signs are ignored, the body becomes diseased and the normally free flow of energy becomes obstructed. The flow of qi can be disturbed by many physical, mental and emotional factors, including anxiety, stress, anger, fear, grief, poor nutrition, bad weather conditions, hereditary factors, infection, poisons and trauma.

To restore balance and promote a healthy environment within the body, the acupuncturist inserts needles into acupoints at appropriate locations. Stimulating the needles, manually or with a mild electric current, helps to get the qi moving again.

The needles are normally left in place for 20 to 30 minutes or more. Acupuncture should not be painful. The patient usually feels a tingling or dull sensation around the needle, but some acupoints react differently to others. Patients commonly experience heaviness in the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation. When the needles are removed, patients often report a feeling of release.

What needles are used for acupuncture

Acupuncture needles are much finer than those used for injections, and solid rather than hollow. The acupuncturists practising at Life Story follow stringent standards of hygiene and sterilisation, and use the finest quality, Japanese-style acupuncture needles, to ensure smooth insertion with minimal discomfort.

These superior needles are the best available, and are not used by all acupuncturists. The needles are subject to eight stringent quality controls during manufacture, and are electrolyte-cleaned, sterilized with EO gas, and individually blister packed. After one use, they are incinerated.

Is acupuncture safe

Three surveys in recent years have shown that acupuncture is among the safest therapies used in the UK. There have been very few reports of adverse effects, and most last no more than a day or so.

What is abdominal acupuncture

Abdominal acupuncture, or Fu Zhen, is a relatively new treatment that is only 30 years old, but is based on the ancient principals of Chinese medicine. It has shown to be effective in a wide range of chronic disorders, such as post-stroke rehabilitation. Needles are placed only on the abdomen.

What happens during an appointment

Your first consultation will be longer than subsequent sessions. This is because the acupuncturist needs to assess your general state of health in order to identify the underlying patterns of disharmony and provide the most effective treatment. You will be asked about your current symptoms and what medical treatment you are receiving, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. You should mention any medication you are taking because it might affect your response to acupuncture.

To discover how the energies are flowing in your body, the acupuncturist will feel your pulses on both wrists, checking quality, rhythm and strength. The structure, colour and coating of your tongue will be examined, to provide a guide to your physical health.

All of this information helps the acupuncturist to identify which energy channels need adjusting to deal with your specific complaint, and which need treatment to boost your energy and vitality.

Before treatment you should try not to have a large meal within an hour of your appointment, as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse. For at least an hour before you should also avoid alcohol, and food or drinks that colour your tongue, such as coffee.
After treatment you may feel rather relaxed and calm. If the treatment has been particularly strong you may even feel quite tired or drowsy for a few hours, so you should bear this in mind if you are planning to drive or use machinery. Occasionally there may be a short-term flair-up of your symptoms, as your qi clears and resettles itself.

The number of treatments needed varies, but most people notice changes after four to six sessions. Your acupuncturist will review your progress with you, and carefully monitor your treatment to ensure that it fulfils your needs.

Should I tell my doctor

Many people seek help from acupuncture because drug treatment does not seem to be work or produces unacceptable side effects. But if you are receiving treatment from your doctor it is sensible to mention that you plan to have acupuncture. And although acupuncture treatment may enable you to reduce or even stop taking some prescribed medication, it is essential that you obtain approval from your doctor before making any changes.