Acupuncture

About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional medicine that has been practised in China and the far east for thousands of years. It has been developed, tested, researched and refined over this time into a treatment option accessed by increasing numbers of patients in the West. Without the benefit of modern scientific equipment, the first acupuncturists discovered many now familiar aspects of biomedical science.

The focus of a traditional acupuncturist is on the patient as an individual and not just their specific illness. All symptoms are seen as part of an interconnected pattern. Acupuncture is based on the meridian system and the balance and flow of qi. Qi flows through meridians and illness or pain occur when the meridians become unbalanced or blocked. The qi can no longer flow freely. This might be because of emotional and physical stress, poor nutrition, infection or injury.

Treatment involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points which affect the flow of your body’s qi, or vital energy and allow the qi to flow freely. This triggers the body’s natural healing response and restores balance. (The terms qi and vital energy are simplistic but serve the purpose of a basic description).

Acupuncture is helpful for…

A growing body of evidence-based clinical research is discovering how the body responds to acupuncture and its benefits for a wide range of common health conditions.

Some people choose acupuncture for something specific, for example; aches and pains, headaches and migraines, depression and anxiety, chronic fatigue, digestive issues, hormonal and menstrual problems. Some choose acupuncture when they can feel their bodily functions are out of balance but have no obvious western medical diagnosis leading to western medical treatment.

Others choose to have regular treatments to improve their general health and well-being. In addition, acupuncture can support fertility and those preparing for and going through IVF.