Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] which can be traced through written scripts as far back as 1000BC. TCM is founded on the holistic concept of treatment and an acknowledgement of the body's ability to return to its balanced state of health, given the correct stimulus to do so.

• What is Acupuncture?
• Why choose Acupuncture?
• How many treatments will I need?
• Does Acupuncture Hurt?
• What is treatment like?
• How does the acupuncturist manage infection control?
• Conditions Recommended for Acupuncture by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.)

What is Acupuncture? | Top
The body is a self repairing mechanism and any interference through the use of acupuncture, acupressure or electro-acupunctural means is aimed at encouraging this self healing ability. There is a deep circulation of energy uniting the inner organs and a superficial system which flows below the surface of the skin. Both the superficial energy and the deeper energy can be influenced by the stimulation of specific points on the body.

Research evidence shows that acupuncture stimulates the brain to produce NATURAL pain relieving chemicals, endorphins. These assist the body to heal itself and offer pain relief. The traditional view is that QI (energy) flows around the body in channels. If the QI is flowing freely, the body is in a healthy state. If there is injury, disease or mechanical defects, then the energy stagnates. The stimulation of relevant acupuncture points frees this stagnation.

Why choose Acupuncture? | Top
Drugs and surgery often cause negative side effects and can also be quite expensive. Acupuncture is a cost-effective alternative that has proven itself effective over the course of centuries. It is "holistic", meaning that the "whole" person is treated, both mind and body, not just isolated systems or parts of the body. When the energy of the body is balanced, the body is empowered to heal itself. Treatments do not cause side effects, and when treated for a specific condition, a person often notices an overall improvement in health.

How many treatments will I need? | Top
That depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. A series of five to fifteen treatments may resolve may chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time.

Does Acupuncture Hurt? | Top
Most people who have had acupuncture would describe it as virtually painless or far less painful than plucking out a hair. The sensations that follow range from nothing at all, to mild tingling, to slight numbness/achiness, to electrical pulsations in areas distant from the site of insertion. All these sensations usually subside once the needles are removed. The needles used for acupuncture are much smaller that the standard hypodermic needle, do not draw blood and are solid, not hollow.

What is treatment like? | Top
Most patients would say, "relaxing." Usually patients leave in less discomfort and are more functional than when they walked in. Sometimes the effects are too subtle to perceive, especially in the beginning of treatment. Yet after 5 to 10 treatments the improvements become more and more apparent.

CONVENTIONAL - Conventional acupuncture involves the use of pre- sterilised disposable needles of varying of various widths, lengths and materials that pierce the skin at the Acupuncture points.

MOXIBUSTION AND CUPPING - Moxibustion and Cupping are techniques used to introduce warmth into the Acupuncture points and Meridians. This has the effect of increasing the circulation, removing waste products, reducing muscle spasm and pain. It may also be used as precursor to the Physiotherapist stretching the damaged tissue or mobilising a joint. Conditions treated with the technique include Osteo-Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and musculo-skeletal problems.

ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE - Following the selection of acupuncture points, inserted needles can be coupled to the electrodes of an electro-acupuncture apparatus. These units are designed to deliver variable amplitudes and frequencies of electrical impulses.
Low frequency electro-acupuncture is intended to contribute to the mechanism of pain reduction, especially in incidences of chronic pain.
High frequency electro-acupuncture is effective in obtaining muscle relaxation and pain reduction and is often used to reduce muscle spasm prior to other manual mobilising techniques used by physiotherapists.

How does the acupuncturist manage infection control? | Top
Acupuncturists are required by law in most states to use disposable one-time-use sterilized needles.

Conditions Recommended for Acupuncture by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) | Top
Accident injury
Arthritis
Asthma/allergies
Blood pressure problems
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chemotherapy Side Effects
Constipation/diarrhea
Depression/anxiety
Diabetes
Drug addiction/smoking cessation
Fibromyalgia
Health maintenance
Immune system dysfunction
Insomnia
Irregular menses /dysmenorrhea
Low energy
Migraine Headaches/dizziness
Obesity
Pain in the back, and other joints
Paralysis/numbness
Sciatica
Sinus and vision problems
Skin problems/acne/eczema
Sports injuries
Stress/tension

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