Originating from China, acupuncture involves inserting small needles into various
points in the body to stimulate nerve impulses. Traditional Chinese acupuncture
is based on the idea of 'qi' (vital energy) which is said to travel around the body along 'meridians' which the acupuncture
points affect. Western Acupuncture uses the same needling technique but is based
on affecting nerve impulses and the central nervous system; acupuncture may be used in the West as an anaesthetic agent and
also as an analgesic
Acupuncturists take a holistic approach (looking at the body as a whole) to target the main symptom so you may find
that if you suffer with headaches for instance, they will insert needles into your hand or foot (along the line of the channel)
to alleviate the problem.
The sterile needles your acupuncturist uses are not like syringe needles; they are much thinner but range in width and
length dependent on where they are to be inserted in the body. The needles will
be inserted by hand (sometimes through a guide tube) in various parts of the body such as the wrists, hands, feet, abdomen
and back. You may feel a mild sensation when the needles are inserted but it
should not be painful. Many patients find the sensation extremely relaxing.
Some needles will be inserted and removed immediately while others will remain in for anywhere between 10 - 45 minutes.
During this period many people find they are so relaxed they fall asleep. Some treatments may require the needles to be inserted in your front for a short while
and then the back
You may find that you feel the benefits of acupuncture from your
first treatment and after your first two or three appointments you and your acupuncturist will have a good idea of the effectiveness
of the treatment. It is recommended that a course last between six and ten treatments but your acupuncturist will advise you
on this based on your progress.
Can be used to alleviate specific symptoms or as a relaxant. Acupuncture
has proved to be an effective therapy for many people with varying conditions. Cancer
patients are among those who have benefited from the therapy through the relief of nausea brought on by chemotherapy. The therapy is also becoming increasingly popular during pregnancy helping alleviate
morning sickness, backache, and heartburn. It has proved helpful with post-natal
conditions too.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
The true historical origins of acupuncture are unclear with archaeological evidence suggesting
its use in Mongolia during the Stone Age. However, with early accounts of acupuncturists practising
the therapy as far back as 300BC, the actual first record of the use of acupuncture dates back more than 2,000 years to the
Far East. The term 'acupuncture' was first used by a Dutch physician during a visit to Japan
in the early 17th century and is taken from the Latin "acus" "pungere" ("needle" "prick").
Forming part of what is known as 'Traditional Chinese Medicine', acupuncture in China actually declined in the 18th century when Western medicine
was introduced by European physicians. Although remaining popular in the rural areas of the country, acupuncture didn't become
prevalent again until the mid 20th century as China
established itself into the People's Republic.
Acupuncture was introduced to 17th century Europe by returning doctors and missionaries
from the Far East but the first medical studies of acupuncture in Britain
didn't begin until the 1950s. As of 2007 there are over 2,800 British Acupuncture Council registered acupuncturists in the
UK.
Regulation of acupuncture will become statutory in 2010 when the title of acupuncturist
will be protected by law and anyone wanting to practise acupuncture will have to be a member of a professional body. It is important for anyone considering Acupuncture or for that matter any therapy
that you check your practitioner has undergone thorough training and is accredited with the relevant governing body and
listed on the public practitioner register.
The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) has registered acupuncturists who have completed
a minimum three years of training and whose full members have MBAcC after their name. The
British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) is a group of doctors, nurses and other regulated healthcare professionals who
are trained in acupuncture. They practise in NHS clinics, GP surgeries, or private
clinics. Your local Primary Care Trust or GP practice may offer funded acupuncture
treatment but not all doctors are prepared to recommend it.
HOW DOES IT WORK
Ancient Chinese philosophy states that acupuncture restores the balance of Yin and Yang
by freeing our life energy or qi (chi) that flows through channels (known as meridians) under the skin. By inserting needles
into channels that have become blocked, the acupuncturist stimulates the body's healing response and thereby helps to restore
its natural balance.
A possible scientific explanation for acupuncture is that the insertion of needles stimulates
deep sensory nerves in the body that cause a chemical release of endorphins and other substances. These substances, once released
in the body, can help with pain relief, assist healing or be used for anaesthetic purposes.
Acupuncture has also been found to affect many other functions including: hormone release
(responses to injury and stress), circulation (blood pressure and heart rate) and digestion (secretion of gastric acid).
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REPUTED BENEFITS
The reputed ailments where benefits are claimed to be experienced include:
Abdominal Pain, Acne, Addiction, ADHD, Alcoholism, Allergies, Anger Management, Anxiety, Arthritis, Back Pain, Blood
pressure, Bloody Nose, Breathing disorders, Bronchitis, Cancers, Catarrh, Childbirth, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain, Circulation
Problems, Constipation, Cystitis, Dementia, Depression, Dermatitis, Despair, Anguish, Diarrhoea, Digestive Problems, Drug
addiction, Dry eye, Dry mouth, Ear Ache, Eating Disorders, Eczema, Excessive Sweating, Fainting, Fever, Flu, Foot Problems,
Frozen Shoulder, Glue ear, Grief, Hair, Loss, Hay Fever, Headaches, Heart Burn, Hormone Imbalance, Hyperhidrosis, Immune System
Dysfunction, Impotence, Incontinence, Indigestion, Infertility, Influenza (Flu), Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS),
Itching, Joint Pain, Ligament Sprain, Lumbago, M E, Migraines, Mouth ulcers, Multiple Sclerosis MS, Muscle cramps, Nausea,
Neck pain, Neck stiffness, Obesity, OCD, Parkinsons disease, Period pain, PMS, PMT, Pregnancy, Repetitive strain injury, Rheumatism,
Runny Nose, Sciatica, Sexual Dysfunction, Shoulder pain, Sinusitis, Smoking Addiction, Sore throat, Spinal Injury, Sports
injuries, Sprain (Ankle, Knee), Stomach cramps, Stress, Stroke, Tennis Elbow, Tiredness, Tonsillitis, Toothache, Vomiting,
Watery Eye, Weight Management, Whiplash
CONTRAINDICATIONS
If under medical supervision or taking prescribed medication, all clients are best advised to verify in advance that
their medical adviser has no objections to them receiving this technique.
Most insurance companies would expect practitioners to take due note of the following partial and total contra-indications
and, where appropriate, only give treatments subject to medical adviser permission.
Certain acupuncture points on the body are unsafe during pregnancy and you should inform your acupuncturist if you are
pregnant or suspect you might be.
It is recommended that people with certain conditions should not use acupuncture.
These include people with low blood counts (increased bleeding from low platelet count, risk of infection from low
white cell count), people who wear pacemakers or have a heart-murmur and those who are diagnosed with lymphoedema
If you decide to go ahead with acupuncture you should inform your acupuncturist if you're taking any medication as this
can interact with the therapy and potentially lead to side-effects.
You should not undertake a treatment if you are fasting or if you are intoxicated on alcohol or recreational drugs.
MEMBERSHIP BODIES
The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC)
63 Jeddo Road,
London
W12 9HQ
Telephone: 020 8735 0400
E-mail: info@acupuncture.org.uk
Website: www.acupuncture.org.uk
The UK
Acupuncture Society
27 Cavendish Drive
Edgware
HA8 7NR
Telephone: 0773 4668 402
Email: acupuncturesocietyuk@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk/
British Medical Acupunture Society
BMAS House,
3 Winnington Court
Northwich
Cheshire
CW8 1AQ
Telephone.: 01606 786782
Email: admin@medical-acupuncture.org.uk
or
BMAS - Royal London Homoeopathic
Hospital
60 Great Ormond Street
London
WC1N 3HR
Telephone: 0207 713 9437
E-mail: bmaslondon@aol.com
Web-site: www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk
Acupunture Society of Chartered Physiotherapists
AACP Limited
Southgate House
Southgate Park
Baewell Road
Orton Southgate
Peterborough
PE2 6YS
Telephone.: 01733 390007
E-mail: sec@aacp.uk.com
Web-site: www.aacp.uk.com
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