Medical Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body using very fine, solid, sterile needles. It is based on the concept of equilibrating Qi (chee), best correlated with “vital life force” in English. Qi is considered to flow through the body in channels. These specific points allow efficient access to the body’s internal circulation of Qi, hence addressing the source behind the patient’s presenting problem.
Detailed research has been carried out in current times into the use of acupuncture for both pain and non-pain conditions, it is also used for promotion of health and prevention of illness in general. Several plausible theories from a western perspective have been put forward to explain the effects of acupuncture including changes in pain transmission in the nervous system and changes within the brain seen on functional MRI studies. To take it as a whole considering it works on normalizing the imbalance in the body, it can treat multiple conditions at the same time and is particularly good for patients who have complex conditions who have not been helped by conventional treatments.
Conditions responsive to acupuncture in various degrees depending on the patient are: migraines and headache in general, allergic sinusitis, sciatica and low back pain, nausea and gastroparesis (slow moving gastrointestinal system), fibromyalgia, joint sprain and muscle strains, tendonitis and osteoarthritis amongst others. Medical acupuncture is a safe and typically well tolerated procedure with very few side effects.
In our practice, the evaluation begins with an initial assessment appointment including an assessment based on the 8 principles and 5 element theories in TCM, observation of the tongue and skin and a detailed pulse examination. Dietary, exercise and lifestyle recommendations may also be given and an acupuncture treatment plan formulated. A series of medical acupuncture treatment appointments will then follow. Patients and conditions respond differently to acupuncture, so the number of treatments required will vary. Usually treatments are carried out over at least 6 sessions on a weekly basis after the first 2 treatments in week 1.