What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a natural form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that is becoming increasingly popular and being used widely across a range of cultures and societies to help patients manage a range of symptoms including pain, stress and fatigue.
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points (acupuncture points) to relieve pain and reduce the symptoms of certain conditions
At Energise Therapy Clinic in Burwood NSW, our experienced, registered acupuncture therapists offer a variety of acupuncture techniques including our unique 'Energy Acupuncture' which involves manual electrical stimulation of the acupuncture points.
What can Acupuncture help with?
Traditional needle acupuncture has been gaining increasing popularity beyond China. Patients, physiotherapists and doctors in western medicine are becoming increasingly aware and accepting of the use of acupuncture in helping the management of symptoms of specific conditions, especially as part of a multi-disciplinary approach.
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Due to the nature of acupuncture, good quality scientific trials have been generally difficult to perform and hence the current evidence to prove its effectiveness is inconsistent.
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Acupuncture may be able to assist with the management of the symptoms commonly associated with:
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- Migraines and headache
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- Chronic knee pain and knee arthritis
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- Chronic low back pain
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How does it work?
Traditional view
According to traditional Chinese medical theory, our body's health is the result of a harmonious balance and flow of 'Qi' or 'life energy' through the network of channels called 'meridians'.
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When this flow of qi in these meridians becomes interrupted or there is an inadequate supply (usually from the result of stress, overwork, diet, weather or environment and other lifestyle factors), disease, pain or illness follows.
Through stimulation at specific sites along these meridians, Acupuncture aims to clear qi/energy blockages and promote its normal flow and allow recovery to occur.
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How does it work?
Medical view
Acupuncture is being increasingly used in the Western world as it is becoming more and more researched and acknowledged.
Western medicine and scientific research explains the effects of acupuncture through neuroscience. Acupuncture stimulates nerve fibres which then have an effect on the central nervous system. In regards to pain:
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Acupuncture stimulates large nerve fibres which inhibits the input of pain signals to the brain (Gate Control Theory)
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Acupuncture stimulates the release of naturally occurring opiates and endorphins (the body's natural painkillers)
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Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is very safe for most people when used appropriately and performed by a comprehensively trained and experienced practitioner.
There may be very small amount of bleeding or bruising when a needle is removed however this happens only rarely and often resolves very quickly.
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At our clinic, acupuncture needles are extremely thin, sterile and disposal (single use only) to help prevent transmission of diseases and infection.
Side effects are often minor but can include dizziness and nausea, dermatitis, fainting, post treatment fatigue or soreness and bruising.
Serious complications (e.g. puncture of organs, nerve injury, transmission of disease) for Acupuncture are rare.
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It must be appreciated that all forms of treatment - e.g massage, medication, injections, surgeries etc have the potential for adverse effects.
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