One of oldest forms of healthcare in the world

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional medicine that has been practised in China and the Far East for thousands of years. It has been developed, tested, researched and refined over this time into a treatment option accessed by increasing numbers of patients in the West. Without the benefit of modern scientific equipment, the first acupuncturists discovered many now familiar aspects of biomedical science.

It involves the insertion of very fine, flexible needles about the size of two human hairs. They are very different from hypodermic needles used for injections and nowhere near as painful. You might experience an initial mild ache or nothing much. In fact, most people find acupuncture a very relaxing experience and some come specifically for stress reduction. I also use non-needle techniques, such as acupressure or cupping so just let me know if you are feeling nervous. Special needles suitable for people with sensitivities to nickel, chromium etc. are also available.

Benefits of acupuncture

A growing body of evidence-based clinical research is discovering how the body responds to acupuncture and the benefits of acupuncture for a wide range of common health conditions.  Many people have acupuncture to relieve specific aches and pains such as osteoarthritis of the knee, headaches, sciatica and low back pain, or for mental health support like stress, anxiety and depression. Other people choose acupuncture when they can feel their bodily functions are out of balance but have no obvious western medical diagnosis. Whereas others have found acupuncture for fertility or women’s health related issues of great support. Many also have regular treatments simply because they find it beneficial and relaxing.

Acupuncture is a holistic therapy

At the heart of classical Five Element acupuncture lies a person-centred therapeutic approach, where each person is recognised and treated as a unique individual. The focus is not just the specific illness as all symptoms are seen as part of an interconnected pattern but to restore overall balance and wellbeing. Treatment involves the insertion of very fine needles into, or for those less keen on needles other forms of pressure, onto specific points which are said to affect the flow of your body’s qi, or vital energy. Although there is ongoing research and study that suggests what many practitioners already know: that inserting needles into the channels (or meridians) affects change within the human body at all levels, and the term ‘energy’ is rather simplistic.

Different styles of acupuncture

There are various different styles of acupuncture. For all acupuncturists who use a traditional theory, like the Five Element approach or TCM, the approach is holistic and the focus is always on the individual. On the other hand, medical acupuncture tends to address an isolated complaint and uses basic needling techniques. It is practised by osteopaths, doctors, and physiotherapists and is very different from traditional acupuncture. These are sometimes referred to as ‘dry needling’ techniques as they do not usually employ traditional acupuncture diagnostic and treatment approaches.

How does acupuncture work?

From a biomedical viewpoint, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system, influencing the production of the body’s communication substances – hormones and neurotransmitters. The resulting biochemical changes activate the body’s self-regulating homeostatic systems, stimulating its natural healing abilities and promoting physical and emotional wellbeing.

Check out this short video for an easy to understand explanation of how traditional acupuncture works:

Does acupuncture work?

Over the years, the British Acupuncture Council has done an excellent job of working through the swathes of research into the efficacy of acupuncture, and have a page on their website dedicated to informing the public. You can access it by clicking here

There is also a video on their YouTube channel, looking at the subject of research in acupuncture, which you might find interesting: