What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a holistic approach to healing and management of disease, as well as the maintenance of health, which has been practiced in China and other Far Eastern countries for thousands of years. Its spread to the West has been relatively slow but steady, and in recent years acupuncture has found increasing acceptance in Western medical practice, particularly in pain relief.
The method of acupuncture is to stimulate specific points on the skin. These points are called acupuncture points or acupoints. The points are in very specific locations and lie on special channels of 'energy' that are called meridians.
Acupuncture points can be stimulated in various ways, including:
- Insertion of needles
- Manual pressure alone (acupressure)
Acupuncture and acupressure treatments are aimed at unblocking the meridians, easing muscle tension, and stimulating the energy and blood flow so the natural healing mechanisms of the body are adjusted, to achieve a balance in the body.
Acupuncture Treatment
Needles are inserted into the acupuncture points on the body. The needles stimulate underlying nerves which send messages to your spinal cord and mid brain. Palpation or testing of the meridians is often done prior to needle insertion. When the acupuncture needle is inserted, a slight, dull pain, tingling or electrical-like sensation may be felt. Once the needle is in place, no further discomfort should be felt. In fact, there may be an occasional agreeable, tingling or warm feeling experienced. The removal of the needles usually causes no discomfort and only rarely is there any very minor bleeding from an insertion point. The needle will be left in for some time - from 5 to 30 minutes. It often takes several sessions in close succession for the effects to build. Your physiotherapist will explain the procedure in detail.
Conditions Treated by Acupuncture
Traditionally, acupuncture practitioners have treated a large number of different illnesses; however, our primary uses are to allieviate pain, help reduce swelling and decrease muscle tone.
Conditions treated:
- Pain relief
- Swelling reduction
- Chronic back pain
- Headache
- Arthritis
- Tennis Elbow
What you need to know
Your physiotherapist will consider all the variables of your particular situation before treating you with acupuncture. Before any treatment is given your options will be discussed, and you will be given the opportunity to decided if you feel comfortable with recieving acupuncture as part of your treatment.
Physiotherapy can work alongside acupuncture. If you are already recieving acupuncture elsewhere and wish to continue, it will not affect your physiotherapy treatment and can, in fact, be complementary.
Acupuncture at 'physiotherapy + pilates evolved' is primarily focused on musculo-skeletal problems typically encountered by physiotherapists. We will be happy to refer you to other traditional acupuncturists if you are wanting treatment for systemic ailments, such as nausea, fertility, addictions, etc.
At 'physiotherapy + pilates evoloved' we follow clinical guidlines of the Physiotherapy Acupuncture Assoc of NZ (PAANZ - a sup group of the NZ Society of Physiotherapists). We only use single-use, sterile, dispoable needles. Acupuncture is generally very safe. Seriouse side effects are very rare; less than one percent per 10,000 treatments. If you feel excess discomfort or you are not happy about the sensations caused by acupuncture, let your physiotherapist know.
Apart from the usual medical details, it is important that you let your physiotherapist know:
- If you have ever experienced a fit.
- If you have a pacemaker of any other electrial implants.
- If you have a bleeding disorder, hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.
- If you are taking anti-coagulants, systemic steriods or any other medication.
- If you are pregnant.
- If you have a heart condition (specifically Atrial Fibrillation).
- If you have low blood pressure.
- If you have a needle phobia or metal allergy.
- If you are a blood donor.