What is the traditional acupuncture treatment?
Acupuncture is a system of healing which aims to restore health by bringing the life energy (Qi) into harmony. According to TCM, our health is dependent on the smooth, uninterrupted flow of Qi. This vital energy is responsible for the proper function of all spiritual, emotional, mental and physical processes. By inserting fine needles into acupoints, the body’s internal healing mechanisms are activated, and the natural harmony is re-established.
What can be treated by acupuncture?
Reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) diseases, symptoms or conditions for which acupuncture has been proved-through controlled trials-to be an effective treatment include:
- Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
- Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
- Biliary colic
- Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
- Dysentery, acute bacillary
- Dysmenorrhoea, primary
- Epigastralgia, acute (in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, and gastrospasm)
- Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
- Headache
- Hypertension, essential
- Hypotension, primary
- Induction of labour
- Knee pain
- Leukopenia
- Low back pain
- Malposition of fetus, correction of
- Morning sickness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neck pain
- Pain in dentistry (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction)
- Periarthritis of shoulder
- Postoperative pain
- Renal colic
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sciatica
- Sprain
- Stroke
- Tennis elbow
Will any other treatments be used?
An acupuncture session may also include the use of moxibustion or infrared heat therapy.
In the procedure of moxibustion a cotton-like cone of dried and processed herb Ai Ye (Artemis vulgaris) is placed near or on the skin with a barrier or on needles. It is then lit to smoulder slowly until the patient feels the warm sensation. It is used to warm and promote the patient’s Qi. Similarly, infrared heat is applied over an area of the body. This is an example of the incorporation of modern science into ancient Medicine.
Acupuncture treatments today are based on extensive research, and have become widely known and accepted all over the world. In addition, controlled clinic studies/trials have shown evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for certain conditions.
Is acupuncture treatment safe?
The procedure is remarkably safe and free from side effects if performed responsibly by someone with an adequate knowledge of anatomy. Minor capillary bleeding is common but generally insignificant.
Acupuncture needles are totally sterile and individually packaged. They are only ever used once, after which they are correctly disposed of.