subject: What The Best Acupuncture Articles Should Explain [print this page] What Exactly Is Acupuncture? This holistic treatment is part of a system of medicine that has been practised in the Far East for 3000 years. Its focus encompasses the whole person, including their symptoms, to ascertain the root of the illness and reduces any possibility of recurrence.
How Does it Work? Qi is a fundamental concept in acupuncture. This vital energy is instrumental in motivating and determining our emotional and physical well being. When this energy becomes unbalanced, we may begin to develop 'disease'.
Qi flows through the body along pathways known as meridians and at certain points on each meridian the energy can be accessed and rebalanced.
Acupuncturists rebalance the body's energy by inserting needles into points chosen according to the patient and their condition. The body can begin to heal itself when its energy has been rebalanced.
Acupuncture practitioners also encourage patients to actively participate in their own healing by addressing lifestyle issues which may be contributing to their condition.
What Conditions can Benefit? Acupuncture effectively alleviates the symptoms of many conditions, including anxiety and stress-related illnesses; arthritis, rheumatism and joint pain; asthma; tinnitus, headaches, neuralgia and migraine; irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and haemorrhoids; menstrual problems, morning sickness and post natal illness; frozen shoulder, sciatica and other back pains;
What is the Treatment Like? An in-depth picture of the patient, his lifestyle and health issues will be built up in the first half of the treatment. The practitioner takes the pulse and observes the tongue to build up a complete picture of the patient and their condition. A diagnosis is then made, before appropriate points are selected and treated with acupuncture.
What Does It Feel Like? Whilst the actual placement of the needles in the skin is painless, patients often comment on a 'sensation' when the selected energy point is contacted. This can feel different for each patient, but may be a numbness, tingling or heaviness. This initial sensation lasts a few seconds and indicates to the practitioner that the Qi has been influenced.
Needles are usually left in for up to twenty minutes, during which time most patients experience a feeling of calm and relaxation. It is quite common to feel very tired after the treatment has finished, particularly if it is the first session.
This is usually followed over the next few days by the beginnings of change in the patient's condition as the energy starts to rebalance. Patients can also experience feelings of increased energy or general relaxation.
About Your Acupuncturist. Practitioners are required to be members of the British Acupuncture Council to ensure that insurance liabilities are covered and codes of practice, ethics and conduct followed.
Only sterile disposable needles are used and these are properly discarded after use.
