A background to acupuncture?
Useful links for further information?
A background to acupuncture
Acupuncture is an entirely drug-free healthcare system. It works by restoring the body's energetic balance and stimulating the body's natural healing ability. In all treatments sterile, disposable needles are used.
Practised
in China for more than three thousand years, acupuncture is a part of a
complete system of medicine known as Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Other aspects of T.C.M. include herbal medicine, manipulative therapy
(massage), diet, relaxation and special exercise (Qi Gong).
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very
fine, sterile disposable needles at specific points on the body.
Acupuncture effectively relieves pain, restores energy and improves
individual health and well being.
Women can be treated for any complications of pregnancy without causing any harm to mother or baby, although certain acupuncture points need to be avoided if there is any likelihood of miscarriage.
What conditions can acupuncture be used to treat?
Acupuncture can be used to treat most diseases and illnesses as well as physical injuries such as sport injuries and joint mobility. It is dramatically effective in the alleviation of pain, whether acute or chronic. The rate and speed of recovery will depend on a number of factors, however, including the age of the injury or condition itself, its severity and the physical health of the patient. 93% of commonly occurring illnesses have shown improvement following a course of acupuncture treatment.
The speed and rate of individual recovery depends on the length of time the individual has had the injury or illness, its severity, and the individual's constitutional strength. However, experience does indicate that chronic and acute problems benefit greatly from acupuncture. The earlier the treatment, the more effective it can be.
There is no age limitation on patients who can benefit from acupuncture. Experience shows that both young and old benefit greatly.
What can I expect during an acupuncture treatment?
In addition to acupuncture, which is the insertion of fine sterile needles, you may come across the following therapies during the course of an acupuncture treatment.
Cupping is a therapy whereby a glass or bamboo cup is placed over a certain point/area and a vacuum is applied. It is used for muscle sprain and asthma, as well as for the common cold.
Health, as understood by Traditional Chinese Medicine, is complete mental, emotional and physical well being. As such, the acupuncture practitioner will make his assessment on the basis of age, lifestyle, stress factors, physical constitution and the presence or absence of various symptoms such as sleep patterns, thirst, headaches. With this information, combined with tongue and pulse diagnosis and analysis of the presenting problem, the practitioner will design a treatment specific to the individual. All the patient records are confidential.
The initial consultation takes from 40-60 minutes. Subsequent consultations will involve a brief review of progress and/or reactions to treatment and assessment of tongue and pulse. It is advisable to see your practitioner at least once a week. Herbs may be prescribed to aid recovery.
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Useful links for further information.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture Council of Ireland