Acupuncture is a system of healing which has been practised 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 and its focus is on improving the overall well being of the patient. The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.

Origins of acupuncture

According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy known as CHI or Qi moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels beneath the skin. CHI consists of equal and opposite qualities (Yin & 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 CHI can be disturbed by a number of factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear, grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma.

What happens during an acupuncture treatment?

We will make an assessment of your general state of health, in order to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and to give you the most effective treatment. We will ask you about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state.

To discover how the energies are flowing in your body, we will feel your pulses on both wrists. The structure, colour and coating of your tongue also give a good guide to physical health. Once enough information has been gathered to determine the most likely causes of your problems, we can select the most appropriate treatment.

The aim is to discover which energy channels need adjusting for your specific complaint to improve, and which require treatment to boost your overall energy and vitality. There are around 500 acupuncture points on the body, of which about 100 are most commonly used. Moxa (a smouldering herb) or electro-acupuncture may be used during treatment, for small children or people with a fear of needles.

What conditions can be helped?

Many people have acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or conditions. These might include anxiety states, arthritis, asthma, back pain, circulatory problems, depression, facial paralysis, fibrositis, high blood pressure, indeterminate aches and pains, infertility, menstrual problems, migraines, rheumatism, sciatica, skin conditions or ulcers. Acupuncture is a safe treatment for all. It has proved to be effective in pregnancy management and for the relief of pain. Acupuncture is also helpful for people trying to overcome addictions such as those related to smoking, alcohol, food or drugs. Some people may have acupuncture as a preventative measure to strengthen their constitution or because they feel unwell in themselves without being ill in the Western sense. It can also be used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease. As with any therapy, the response to acupuncture can vary from one person to another.