What is Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Acupuncture

Acupuncture Therapy is a complex medical system that is used as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine to diagnose and treat many illnesses and diseases ranging from headaches & pain to hypertension.

Acupuncture is the primary form of healthcare in China and is used extensively in the hospitals for a wide range of conditions, as well as a preventative measure. The treatment involves the insertion of extremely fine, sterile needles into pre-determined points on the body’s surface. Acupuncture is a natural therapy with few side effects.

The aim of Acupuncture is to treat the body as a whole and promote its healing ability, thus restoring its natural balance and eliminating ill health. The Traditional Chinese belief is that the body’s energy which they call Qi (Chee) can become obstructed and result in illness. Acupuncture, by promoting the body’s Qi, can restore health and balance to the body. The yin yang symbol is often used to represent balance in TCM.

Western Medicine tells us that Acupuncture lines lie alongside the nerve pathways. It is believed that by stimulating these points it causes the release of endorphins into the bloodstream. Endorphins are the body’s chemical messengers which affect our perception of pain and can reduce it. This is why Acupuncture is widely utilised in the treatment of pain. Acupuncture is the World’s Largest Drug Free Pain Relief Therapy and the World Health Organisation recognises it for treating all types of pain. (eg. Arthritis, back pain, sciatica, neck pain, menstrual pain, headache and migraine)

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Your Acupuncture Treatment will include Lifestyle Advise, Dietary Advice, Tongue Diagnosis and Pulse taking. Moxibustion, Cupping, Electro- Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture and Heat Therapy are utilised when the Acupuncturist believes them necessary to the condition being treated and when the patient is comfortable with the therapy. They are included in the cost of the Acupuncture treatment and never incur an additional charge.

Facial Rejuvenation / Facial Acupuncture - This is different to a regular Acupuncture treatment which uses many tiny needles on face. The procedure is longer than a standard session and is therefore more expensive. Learn more on Facial Rejuvenation

A brief explanation on some of the above items are listed below:

• Tongue Diagnosis: The tongue is examined as it can tell us information about the persons health e.g. digestion problems
• Moxibustion: Moxa is a Chinese herb which is applied externally and never comes in contact with the skin, the patient experience a warming sensation
  when this treatment is applied. It is used in the clinic mainly for pain conditions
• Cupping: The function of cupping is to promote the flow of blood to an area, relieve tension/ restriction from the muscles; e.g. it's used for painful,
  stiff or swollen joints and muscles, shoulder and back tension and pain, sports injuries, colds and flu. Cupping is a method that uses a plastic suction
  cup or a glass cup over the skin to create suction. Patients are advised that temporary bruising will occur after cupping but it will not be painful like a
  normal bruise. Cupping, by promoting the circulation and drawing toxins to the surface of the skin, also facilitates elimination of toxins by the body and increases the flexibility of the muscles. This is not a painful procedure and is frequently required in the clinic.
• Electro-Acupuncture: Electro-Acupuncture is the use of small electrical currents through the Acupuncture needles. Electro- stimulation is often used in conjunction with Acupuncture to enhance the treatment. It is often used in clinic for pain conditions like arthritis, back pain, sciatica and many sport
  injuries. It is also used for muscle strain, Bell's Palsy and numbness. It will accelerate tissue healing, reduce inflammation, oedema and swelling - it is
  not painful for the patient.
• Heat Therapy: This procedure involves the use of a heat lamp over a specific part of the body, i.e. lower back or knee and is often used for injuries,
  arthritis, back pain or when a patient feels cold in the joints or back. Heat therapy is often used in place of Moxibustion.
• Auricular Acupuncture: Points on the ear can be needled or seeds on tiny plasters can be used to stimulate the point without the use of needles.
  Patients are sometimes sent home with the ear seeds in place and can stimulate the points themselves when they experience excess pain or cravings.
  This is often used in Pain Management, alcohol & drug addiction and/or stress relief. Occasionally the ear seeds are used for patients who fear needles