Acupuncture

What is acupuncture

Acupuncture is a sophisticated art of healing developed in China over 3,000 years ago. Acupuncture views the body and health in a very different way to conventional medicine and as such can often treat illness, prevent disease and improve well-being in a way that complements conventional medicine.

Chinese acupuncture identifies 14 major channels of energy that run through the body, each one having different influences on the body. Along these channels lie acupuncture points. By addressing this energy, Qi, changes can be made to the functioning of the body.

Benefits of acupuncture

Acupuncture is holistic in its treatment, treating the mind and body by balancing and harmonising the body’s energy. Treatment is aimed at addressing the root cause of your symptoms or health concerns. By addressing the root of the imbalance it will enable the body to repair and recover. This enhances your overall wellbeing in addition to helping your main problem, so you may find that other niggling issues also improve as well as your main symptoms. You are likely to sleep better and feel less stressed.

Chinese acupuncture treats the whole person rather than specific symptoms in isolation, so it can be effective for a range of conditions.

Acupuncture is a complement to conventional medicine. Unlike conventional medicine it does not have any side effects and is natural as it uses the body’s own energy to heal.

How does acupuncture work

The acupuncturist will access the body’s energies, Qi, at acupuncture points using very fine needles in specific points round the body, most commonly the lower arms and legs. This will encourage the energy to move so causing change to occur, allowing the body to heal and re-balance.  Acupuncture is holistic in its treatment, treating the mind and body by balancing and harmonising the body’s own energy.  This can give a general sense of improved well-being.

Does acupuncture work

Acupuncture is considered the most effective complementary medicine and there is considerable evidence to show this.

Claire treats cancer patients at Royal Surrey County Hospital and doctors frequently refer patients to her as they have found that acupuncture can help with the unwanted side effects of conventional treatment.

IVF hospitals encourage their patients to have acupuncture treatment as they have found that it increases their success rate.

The National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE) recommends acupuncture for complaints such as headaches, vomiting, neck ache, backache and dental pain. Large scale research in Europe and the US have now shown that acupuncture can be effective for conditions such as headaches and arthritis and improving the chances of conception for women using IVF. Many more studies have been carried on specific conditions some of which in the A-Z Health page.

Acupuncture does it work. For information on acupuncture and evidence on its effectiveness, refer to The British Acupuncture Council factsheets for various conditions.

What does acupuncture feel like

Most commonly very little is felt when the needles are inserted, after which a dull ache or tingling sensation can be felt. A sense of relaxation can occur as needles do their work in moving the energy to bring about healing.

Will acupuncture address my symptoms

Symptoms and conditions vary from one person to another which is why acupuncture can be so effective because treatment is individual to the person, often getting to the root cause of the imbalance in the body and so producing a lasting improvement.

The World Health Organisation list a number of symptoms and conditions that have been shown through research to be helped by acupuncture.