Learn more about holistic modalities, how they work, their benefits and what you can expect during a session.
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Acupuncture
The Complete Guide to Acupuncture: Benefits, Types, and What to Expect
Acupuncture is a popular form of alternative medicine that involves balancing the flow of energy or "Qi" through the body's meridians to promote overall wellness and health. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, which are believed to correspond to different organs or systems. In more recent times, acupuncture has been studied extensively- showing efficacy for conditions such as lower back pain, arthritis, anxiety, insomnia, migraine headaches and morning sickness.
Origins and Evolution of Acupuncture:
Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years, and it was later introduced to the Western world in the 1970s. It has since gained popularity as a safe and effective alternative therapy for many different health conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including pain relief, stress reduction, and overall wellness.
The benefits of Acupuncture and what can it help treat?
One of the primary benefits of acupuncture is its ability to relieve pain. Acupuncture can also help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and promote overall wellness. Acupuncture can help treat a wide range of health issues, including chronic pain, back pain, headaches, menstrual cramps anxiety, depression, digestive disorders, and allergies. It has also been used to treat infertility, migraines, and even addiction.
Different Types of Acupuncture:
There are several different types of acupuncture, including traditional Chinese acupuncture, electroacupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture and auricular acupuncture. These different types of acupuncture use different techniques and targets different areas of the body.
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture: It involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at specific points in your body. It is a technique used for balancing the flow of energy or life force. It can be helpful for treating pain, stress management and improving overall wellness
Electroacupuncture: This is performed by inserting small needles into the skin at specific acupuncture points and stimulating them with electrical currents. People use electroacupuncture to address symptoms and health issues such as arthritis, pain, stress, tinnitus, addiction and chemotherapy-related nausea.
Cosmetic acupuncture: It is a gentle, non-invasive facial treatment where specific cosmetic acupuncture points are needled into the face to improve skin tone, support ageing, enhance complexation and improve overall well-being. This type of acupuncture is a natural alternative to cosmetic injectables such as botox and fillers.
Auricular acupuncture: It is a technique that involves stimulating specific points on the ear to prevent and treat various conditions. It is thought to promote comfort and relaxation, people use this type of acupuncture to help with pain, sleep issues, substance abuse and mental health issues.
What to Expect During an Acupuncture Session
Firstly, your practitioner will start by taking your pulse and asking you some questions about your health history and current symptoms. During the treatment, you may feel a slight sensation as the needles are inserted, but most people report little to no pain. Once the needles are in place, you'll be left to rest for a period of time, typically around 20-30 minutes. After the needles are removed, you may feel a sense of relaxation or euphoria, and it's common to experience some mild soreness or bruising at the insertion points. Overall, an acupuncture session is a safe and effective way to address a variety of health concerns, and many people find it to be a deeply relaxing and enjoyable experience.
How Long Does it Take for Acupuncture to Work & what to do after a session?
The length of time it takes for acupuncture to work varies depending on the individual and their specific health concerns. In general, most patients experience some level of relief after the first few sessions, with more significant improvements occurring over time.
In order to see real and lasting benefits it’s important to have regular treatments at least until you begin to experience lasting results. Depending on your condition, it is usually recommended to see your practitioner once a week for 4-6 weeks, and then ongoing treatments for maintenance care.
In combination with your acupuncture treatments, your Practitioner may also provide you with diet and lifestyle advice and also prescribe Chinese Medicine herbs or supplements. It’s imperative to follow the guidelines for your herbs for optimum results. These will relieve and help to manage your symptoms plus, as mentioned earlier, they will have an added bonus of supplementing the body with nutrients that we are unable to create ourselves or absorb from our diets. More often than not the herbs will be in Chinese but ask your practitioner to explain what they are so you can do some additional reading on their multitude of benefits.
Lastly, keep hydrated with water and try to take it easy for at least the remainder of the day post treatment.
The Future of Acupuncture:
The popularity of acupuncture continues to grow, and research into its effectiveness for different health conditions is ongoing. As more people seek out alternative forms of medicine, acupuncture is likely to continue to evolve and gain wider acceptance as a safe and effective form of healthcare.
Australia has recognised the benefits of acupuncture and have included it in their healthcare systems. In Australia, acupuncture with a general practitioner is now covered under Medicare, however, is mostly covered under Private Health Insurance.
Are there any side effects to Acupuncture?
Like any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects, including bruising, soreness, and even infection in rare cases. However, acupuncture is generally considered to be safe when performed by a trained practitioner.
Scientific studies and evidence:
Studies found by a team of neuroscientists at the Harvard Medical School claim that the underlying neuroautonomy of acupuncture activates a signaling pathway in the body. A specific subset of neurons in the brain is needed for acupuncture's anti-inflammatory response to be triggered and for it to be effective.
Data from 12 studies with 8003 participants showed that acupuncture was more effective than no treatment for back or neck pain. Scientific studies also showed that acupuncture is effective in treating dental pain and jaw pain. It has also been shown that acupuncture treatment improves functional status and reduces lower back pain.
Finding an Acupuncturist:
Finding an acupuncturist can be a challenging task, especially if you're new to this form of medicine. There may be a wide range of styles and approaches to the practice, making it important to find a practitioner who aligns with your needs and preferences. To find an acupuncturist, you can start by asking for recommendations from friends or family members who have had positive experiences with acupuncture. You can also search online for acupuncturists in your area and read reviews from past patients. There are also several websites that can help you find a qualified acupuncturist, such as:
- The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) allows you to check the registration of the acupuncturist.
- Bodhi Holistic Hub provides a few options for acupuncturists, all carefully vetted and verified, giving you peace of mind you’ll be in good hands. You can book a session with one of our practitioners Gavin Martin-Rentz, Lina Jung, and Ahil Ganesan.
- Acupuncture Now Foundation also lists some acupuncturists within Australia.
"To balance is to heal. To harmonize is to regulate. The needles and herbs can harmonize and heal any sickness."
Huang Di Nei Jing
