What is Acupuncture?
The origins of acupuncture in China can be traced back at least 2000 years, making it one of the oldest and most long-standing health care systems in the world. Today, acupuncture is an effective, natural and increasingly popular form of health care that is being used by people from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.
Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes and focuses as much on the prevention of illness as on the treatment.
What is qi & how does it affect the body?
When healthy, an abundant supply of qi (pronounced chee) or “life energy” flows through the body’s meridians (a network of invisible channels through the body). If the flow of qi in the meridians becomes blocked or there is an inadequate supply of qi, then the body fails to maintain harmony, balance and order, and disease or illness follows. This can result from stress, overwork, poor diet, disease pathogens, weather and environmental conditions, and other lifestyle factors and becomes evident to TCM practitioners through observable signs of bodily dysfunction. TCM practitioners look carefully for these signs of health and dysfunction, paying particular attention not only to the presenting signs and symptoms, but also to the medical history, general constitution, and the pulse and tongue.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi through the individual. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order to re-establish the flow of qi.
As a natural form of healing, acupuncture has the following benefits:
- provides drug-free pain relief
- effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments
- treats the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms
- provides an holistic approach to the treatment of disease and illness, linking body, mind and emotions
- assists in the prevention against disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being.
At Rebalance, when treating you for acupuncture we will provide you with a holistic treatment plan which will typically involve a combination of the following:
- Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Lifestyle Issues
- Diet and Food Therapy
- Acupuncture
- Meditation
Does acupuncture hurt?
No, acupuncture doesn’t hurt. You may feel a slight prick when the acupuncturist puts the needle in, but it’s much less than the prick you feel during a shot. This is because the needles are much thinner. You may feel a heaviness, numbness, tingling, or mild soreness after the needles have been put in.
Some points on people tend to be more tender – this is because that point needs to be balanced. Women around ovulation and during their period can be more sensitive as well. However, the acupuncture should not hurt. We do have some points that can be very sensitive and tender – however, if I will use these points, I will inform my client prior to needling that these points are generally more tender in nature – and count to 3 and insert the needle. Although tender on needling, these points generally just become dull after a minute or two.
Acupuncture can be used to assist with:
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Calming the mind
- Menstrual disorders
- Digestive Disorders
- Flu
- Fever
- Runny Nose
- Preventative Medicine
- Pain (including endometriosis and PCOS)
- Asthma
- Hayfever
- Allergies
What else can we assist you with?
Our Practitioners have their own areas of interest so as well as assisting you with the above complaints, ask us about our primary passions:
- Fertility and IVF
- Menstrual Health
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Neurological Conditions such as MS or Parkinson’s
- Cosmetic Acupuncture
- Mental Health Support
