Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is used to treat illness, prevent disease and improve well-being. It originated in China more than 3000 years ago and due to its proven effectiveness has been embraced throughout the world.
Acupuncture is one of the of the main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to TCM, acupuncture promotes the flow of Qi (vital life energy) in the body, thereby stimulating the healing mechanisms within the body.
Over many years, TCM has mapped out 12 main meridians or pathways of Qi flow, each connecting to one specific organ system that governs a group of physical, emotional and mental functions in the body.
Illness results when the Qi stagnates or is blocked, or when the body has too little of it. When Qi (energy) flows in a free and unobstructed way, health is restored back to its natural balance.
What Are The Benefits Of Acupuncture?
- Medication-free pain relief
- Effective in the treatment of both acute and chronic conditions
- Because it is holistic (treats the whole body) by nature, Acupuncture helps to eliminate the underlying cause of the condition in addition to merely treating the symptoms
- Helps bring the body, mind and emotions back into a healthy balance, so is useful in the treatment of a wide range of physical, mental and emotional complaints
- Assists in the prevention of disease and the maintenance of general well-being
What Does An Acupuncture Treatment Involve?
Treatment involves the insertion of very fine, pre-sterilised, disposable needles at specific acupuncture points on the body to help restore health on a physical, psychological and emotional level.
Once the client’s medical history has been taken and they have answered questions about the nature of the medical complaint, I select 3-5 acupuncture points into which to insert needles, which remain in place for around 20 minutes.
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Each person is different. During the insertion of needles, some people feel nothing, while others experience a small pinch and then a sensation of numbness, heaviness, cramping or tingling.
Acupuncture needles are solid and very fine, unlike needles used for vaccinations or to take blood, and therefore cause very little pain.
During an acupuncture session, clients often describe a feeling of calm and relaxation…..and may even fall asleep!
At the end of a session the removal of the needles is painless.
What Can I Expect After Acupuncture Treatment?
Following treatment clients often experience positive changes. They may sleep much better and feel more relaxed.
Occasionally some people may experience slight mood changes and/or an alteration in bowel and bladder function. In some the symptoms may become temporarily worse before they improve, which usually indicates that the body is responding to treatment.
How Many Treatment Sessions Will I Need?
Since each person is unique the number of treatments required will vary.
- Chronic, long term conditions can take longer to treat than acute conditions that have just occurred.
- If the clients is in general good health recovery may be quicker.
- The adherence of the patient to the instructions provided can also influence the speed of recovery.
Initially treatments may be administered close together and then become less frequent as the condition improves.
Confidence In Your Practitioner
When choosing someone to administer Acupuncture treatment for you it’s important to feel confident that the person helping you knows what they are doing! After all, Acupuncture is a precise and sterile procedure and is a skill which involves a high degree of training.
Rest assured, you are in safe hands. I’m a member of the Acupuncture Council of Ireland (ACI). The ACI leads the development of Acupuncture standards and integration within Irish medicine for the well-being and care of patients. The ACI is responsible for the regulation and maintenance of a Register of Acupuncturists in Ireland. Only fully qualified and insured practitioners can become members of ACI. All members are bound by a Code of Ethics and Code of Practice, which is strictly enforced by the Executive Committee of the ACI, thus offering a guarantee of confidence to you when seeking treatment. It is a condition of membership that each practicing member carries Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance Cover.
