What is Acupuncture?

At first glance all forms of acupuncture look essentially the same. What then separates them is the philosophy, approach and training. Traditional forms are based on a holistic system which allows it to treat a wide range of conditions and not just pain. With this type of training there is a longer duration, most often 3-4 years as a minimum. With more Western Acupuncture or Dry Needling approach, the focus is on sports injuries and musculoskeletal pain. Here the training may have shorter training periods, sometimes just a few weekends.

Most importantly you need to know that you are getting in contact with a knowledgeable and safe practitioner. This is because there is no regulation presently for the industry. The largest professional body is The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) who recognize those practitioners with specific and more intense training qualifications. It is therefore a safe way to search for a therapist or practitioner on The BAcC website. You can find my details on this register too.

When I discuss acupuncture, I am going to mean the type whose key component is Traditional Chinese Medicine. This system focuses on a flow of vital energy through several channels running throughout the body. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into points along these channels. Where these needles are placed depends on a consultation process to determine what may be going on for that individual’s body. The aim is to restore balance physically, emotionally and energetically. In this way Western Medical conditions may not be the central consideration but nonetheless helpful to firm up likely diagnosis from a Chinese medical perspective. Both approaches complement each other with useful information to support the individual.

Taking this more traditional approach allows the practitioner to expand the use of needles to help alleviate not just pain but other symptoms such as headaches, migraines, mental health issues, sleep problems, digestion complaints, flagging energy levels, general stress and more. Some less understood Western conditions which encompass several of these complaints such as Fibromyalgia can be supported as an example. Acupuncture works on both the root cause as well as symptoms, offering long term healing to the human body and preventative care too. Interestingly dogs can receive acupuncture too with equally healing benefits. I must add the acupuncturist has to be a specialist trained practitioner to treat animals!

How does Acupuncture work?

In modern research Acupuncture is said to stimulate and send messages from the skin segment up through the spinal cord and into the brain through the nervous system. It enhances circulation and allows neurochemicals in the brain to be released. In this way it can be seen a far-reaching, whole-body impact that goes beyond just treating symptoms. It can reduce pain, promote relaxation by enhancing our parasympathetic system and reduce inflammation.

From a more traditional stance acupuncture is all about the flow of vital energy through our channels or meridians. Essentially when this energy is free flowing, we experience better health. When it becomes stuck, weakened or out of balance we experience more pain, stress or illness. Acupuncture therefore helps to unblock Qi as it moves through the many layers of tissues around the body and restores a healthy balance to our whole system. Thus, promoting relaxation, relieving pain and improved health.

The benefits of Acupuncture: more than just pain relief

For many in the Western World, acupuncture and pain relief are bundled together without much further thought: Acupuncture has so much more to offer. The Chinese have used acupuncture either as their main healthcare provider or the two are combined in a mutually accepted system for many years.

Patients may seek treatment for a variety of symptoms:  

Anxiety and depression alongside conventional talking therapies

Fibromyalgia -for pain management, brain fog, headaches and energy

Support alongside chemotherapy treatments to help with side effects

Menopause related symptoms

Hay fever with congestion

Temporal Mandibular Joint dysfunction

Migraine relief

Insomnia

General wellness – it feels like a “reset” button for your body

Pregnancy

Prevention or maintenance treatments -helps stop symptoms returning as much or as intensely.

The list goes on.

What to expect during an Acupuncture session

If you’ve never tried Acupuncture before, the idea of needles can be scary. The good news is that there are many options to choose from. To start with I can use other modalities such as cupping, gua sha, a simple probe, ear seeds, magnets, moxa or Tui Na massage. So please enquire and let me know if you do feel nervous about needles. Don’t let it put you off as together I’m sure we can work out something that is ok for you. On the other hand, many patients say that it is never as bad as they thought it would be. It may be reassuring to know that with the kind of Acupuncture I practice, I strive to use as few needles as possible to keep the message clear to the body.

Want to find out more about Five Element Acupuncture. Take a look here. Exploring Five Element Acupuncture

Maybe you might want to know a little more about who I am as an acupuncturist. Head over here Who am I?