What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves inserting fine pre-sterilised disposable needles into specific points on the skin to reroute or balance qi and bring about healing.
When Qi flows freely through invisible channels called meridians, the body is balanced and healthy, but if the energy becomes blocked, stagnated or weakened, it can result in physical, mental or emotional ill health. An imbalance in a person's body can result from inappropriate emotional responses, environmental factors such as cold and damp, wrong diet and overwork. Whether or not you believe in the philosophy of Qi makes no difference to the effects of acupuncture. Scientific trials around the world have found that acupuncture is a safe and useful treatment for many different disorders.
After a session of acupuncture, you may feel relaxed and refreshed, but specific responses depend on the individual. For instance, some people feel energised, while others feel sleepy. Occasionally, the symptoms get a little worse before they improve. The number of treatments you need depends on your condition. In most cases, patients experience a reduction in symptoms within a few sessions. The idea of acupuncture is to restore the natural balance of energy inside your body. Once the balance is restored, the body can take care of itself.
What are the effects of Acupuncture?
Research has found that acupuncture is effective in treating a range of disorders. Some of these include:
Digestive - colitis, constipation, diarrhoea, gastritis, ulcer
Emotional - anxiety, depression
General - chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle injuries, obesity, stress management, tiredness, travel sickness
Gynaecological - heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, menopausal symptoms, pre-menstrual syndrome
Musculo-skeletal - back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tennis elbow, whiplash
Neurological - Bell's palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, headache, Meniere's disease, migraine, pain, paralysis, shingles
Respiratory - asthma, bronchitis, common cold, hayfever
Vascular – high blood pressure
Skin - Eczema and psoriasis
Allergies and autoimmune disorders
Infants & Children – infant night crying, reflux, bed wetting, poor appetite