Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine (that can be traced back at least 2,500 years), involving the insertion of fine solid needles into the skin at specific points on the body to achieve a therapeutic effect.
No drug is injected. The needles alone create the beneficial effects of acupuncture. Acupuncture needles are usually stainless steel (they may also be gold or silver), and measure from 13-70 mm
Acupuncture is used to encourage natural healing, improve mood and energy, reduce or relieve pain and improve function of affected areas of the body.
Acupuncture points (also referred to as ‘acu-points’) are places on the skin that have a lower resistance to the passage of electricity than the surrounding skin and are part of a network of points that were mapped centuries ago by the Chinese. Most are found along ‘meridians’ or ‘channels’ that are believed to be the pathways by which energy or Qi (pronounced ‘Chi’) flows through the body. Acu-points are located by identifying anatomical landmarks.
The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease.
Acupuncture Meridian is a line of energy which connects all acupuncture points to a particular region. This means when a needle is inserted in a specific point, pain is caused upwards and downwards along a definite route. This means that when trying to treat a region that is infected it is often the needle will be placed on the opposite side of the body. Meridians are important because they determine at which specific points the needle is placed will affect which organ.
Acupuncture is said to release endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain relievers. During acupuncture the needles stimulate the sensory neurons which help direct the flow of hormones and nervous system signals through the body. After the afflicted area can move and operate without any pain it will begin to heal naturally.
According to the Gate Control Theory, pain signals must travel through these gates when traveling from the area of the injury upward towards the spinal cord and into the brain. These pain signals travel very slowly unlike most signals which travel a lot faster. Acupuncture generates faster signals that effectively block the slow pain signals from reaching the brain.
There is reasonably good evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for-
Acupuncture treatment is available at Sammati WellBeing Centre.