Acupuncture
Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese Medicine with a history of continuous use over 3000 years. Today it is practiced extensively throughout the Orient and increasingly in the West, and it is the second most practiced medical system in the world.
Acupuncture began with the discovery that the stimulation of specific areas of the skin affected the functioning of certain organs of the body. Each body has an energy circulation. Acupuncture is used to re-establish the natural energy balance of the body and to restore health, vitality and great enjoyment of physical life plus emotional balance.
There are over 500 acupuncture points and these lie along the meridians. By stimulating a selection of these points with needles the quality and quantity of energy (‘Qi’) and fluids can be normalized. Often an area or acupuncture point is warmed and stimulated by a Chinese Herb. This is called Moxibustion. Suction Cups and Massage may also be utilized to enhance treatment. Extensive research in the US, China and Japan has shown that acupuncture directly influences the hormonal, nervous and immune system.
What Conditions can Acupuncture Help?
Many people come for help with a specific symptom or condition.
For example: anxiety, asthma, arthritis, back pain, sciatica, depression, fatigue, circulatory problems, facial paralysis, fibrositis, migraines, respiratory problems, menstrual problems, infertility, muscular-skeletal problems, skin conditions, sinus problems, low sexual vitality, digestive problems, the range is endless.
What Happens when I come for Treatment?
For the initial consultation the acupuncturist begins with a diagnosis of the system of your energy balance. This diagnosis occurs through a series of questions and observation of your tongue, radial pulse and other physical signs. Generally speaking the amount of treatment required depends on the severity and duration of the condition. For acute conditions only a few treatments may be required, for chronic conditions more may be needed. Treatment is usually given once or twice weekly, although results will be faster if treatment is given more frequently. Treatment usually lasts from 20mins to one hour; consultations are covered by most private health funds.
Does it Hurt?
Some people would like to try acupuncture but may not because they assume it will be painful. The needles used are solid and much finer than those used for injections.
In most cases only a slight prick is felt as the needle goes through the skin. When the needle reaches the acu-point, there is another sensation often described as a dull ache, or a numb tingly feeling.
This sensation is quite comfortable and lasts only for 1 or 2 seconds. Needles used by your acupuncturist are sterile disposable needles and are used only once. Professional acupuncturist are bound by the Registers Code of Practice.
What are the Professional Standards?
To become a professional Acupuncturist a minimum of three years study with comprehensive understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory and Western Medical Science in conjunction with clinical competence is required. At the conclusion of study an Advanced Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TMC) is obtained comprising of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and Tui Na Massage. Quite often the TMC study is completed with internship training in China. Professional Acupuncturists are bound by the Registers Code of Ethics, which covers relations with patients, fellow practitioners and general public.