Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a system of healing which has been practiced in China and other Eastern countries for thousands of years. Although often described as a means of pain relief, it is in fact used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy - known as Qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities - Yin and Yang - and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma. The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium within the body.

What conditions does acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture is used to treat a wide variety of health conditions. Here is just a partial list of conditions for which acupuncture has been found to be effective: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches and migraines, lower back pain and sciatica, frozen shoulder, arthritis, PMS, knee pain, planter fascitis.

How does it work?

According to Oriental Medicine, acupuncture works by stimulating the flow of Qi (pronounced 'chee'), or natural healing energy, throughout one's body. In a healthy person, Qi flows fully and freely. When there is blockage or disruption of this flow, many types of illness or pain result.

Does it hurt?

Acupuncture rarely causes any discomfort, and different people have different sensitivity levels. Some people don't feel the needle being inserted at all; those who are more sensitive to needles have described the sensation as feeling like a small mosquito bites, and only for a fraction of a second. Most people find the experience of receiving acupuncture relaxing; often people nap while the needles are in place.

Is it safe?

We use pre-sterilized, pre-packaged needles. Furthermore, acupuncture treatments are natural and drug-free, so there are none of the side-effects and dependencies often associated with medication.