The Science Behind Acupuncture

Acupuncture has a bad rep. Unfairly so, because the practice has been around for thousands of years, originating in China, where it is still practiced widely today. Lets share some basic facts about it to clear up misconceptions once and for all!

What conditions is acupuncture effective in treating?

Pain disorders

Fertility

Emotional issues

Immune Diseases

Anti-ageing

Insomnia

Acupuncture is a central pillar of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM believes in finding the underlying root cause of existing ailments in treatment, rather than simply treating the symptoms.

TCM practitioners take a more holistic approach to health and healing, and work to optimize their patient’s longevity and health by awakening and balancing the body’s own innate ability to heal.

Acupuncturists use four basic tools to build a patient’s treatment plan and evaluate their health. Seeing, hearing and smelling, touching and a tongue and pulse diagnosis. The findings from these methods, in combination with the patient’s history and symptoms, can be used to find the root causes of any issues and identify the energy imbalances present.

Now to how the treatments actually work……

Our body is made up of "qi", a vital energy source. It travels in the body through meridians, or energy channels. According to TCM, when qi becomes blocked, depleted or weak, illness occurs.

Using fine and sterile needles on specific pressure points and areas of the body, acupuncture balances and ensures the flow of qi throughout our bodies, removing any obstructions and addressing the energy imbalance that form the root of many illnesses.
The needles also interact with the fascial network, which acts as an internal messenger system in our bodies and is particularly important when treating musco-skeletal pain disorders.

Does acupuncture hurt?

As you previously read, acupuncture involves inserting very small needles into specific points.
First for the good news. For most people there is little to no pain because of how thin the needles are, plus acupuncture needles have a rounded edge to prevent excess cutting to the skin.
You may be in the minority that feel a small sensation because of the way in which the needles are stimulating the nerves and fascia.
As with a lot of treatments, what you will feel depends on what areas of the body are being treated, your body and your sensitivity.
IF it does hurt, and it’s more a dull sensation that an acute pain, you can celebrate as that means the needles are stimulating the nerves and fascia, and are getting you on the road to recovery!
Don’t be afraid to speak to your practitioner during the treatment if you feel discomfort, and they can adjust the needles for you