Need an answer

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

For most not usually, but everyone is different with varying levels of sensitivity. Most feel a heaviness or pressure under the needle, some feel tingling and warmth, some feel as if the needles are connecting, creating a network. It’s a unique and personal experience for each individual.

Others may not feel much at all at first though this usually changes a couple of weeks into treatment, once your mind body connection re-establishes and you become more aware of the dialogue from your body. Some experience a pricking sensation when the needles first go in. This could be due to fluctuations in hormones eg. during your period or ovulation, or due to stress, lack of sleep etc.

However, in general there is no pain, it’s very relaxing and most people feel a heaviness in their limbs and will fall asleep with the needles in place.

How does it work?

Well, this is the million dollar question. Chinese Medicine Theory has devised a system over thousands of years of observation on the human body and the human condition, and distilled those observations into a systematic framework of health care. The primary tools of which are Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture.

In terms of Chinese Medical or Taoist Theory the acupuncture needles placed at certain points on the Channels provokes an action in the corresponding Organ system. eg. if there is a qi or blood issue with the Liver a needle placed in your foot at one of the main Liver points will have an effect on that organ and the flow of qi and blood within the organ and the system of channels and collaterals. This effect is subtle and may also ‘spill’ over into related organs like the heart or spleen, rebalancing their critical energetic aspects also.

Herbal Medicine is pretty obvious in its method of delivery, blending different herbs in a hierarchical format to deliver their chemical compounds targeting different organ systems within the body - so not just mixing herbs together to get a blended tea but those herbs have a purpose and direction even before they have an action.

Acupuncture utilises the same framework, with needles placed at anatomically specific points on the body that connect with a network of channels / meridians that in turn transect their corresponding organ or organ system, thus communicating with it.

How effective is it?

Very! The practice is well known and has been well used for thousands of years - as with most things there are limitations to traditional health systems as there are with modern allopathic medicine. It’s important to understand that Classical Chinese Medicine views the human body, its’ mechanics, functions and structure in a different way to modern ‘Western’ medicine. Nevertheless its effectiveness has been clearly observed for thousands of years, but of course it has its limitations, we would not treat cardiac arrest with acupuncture needles but a good treatment strategy involving acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine could be employed as part of an overall healthy lifestyle to best ensure that such an event is unlikely to take place.

What conditions is it good for?

There isn’t an exhaustive list, we treat many conditions as a form of primary care but also as a supportive measure. ie enhancing Fertility potential would be primary care, and IVF Support is just that - providing treatment to support the body and system whilst undergoing strict drug protocols throughout the IVF cycle, to mitigate side effects, support the system by increasing blood flow to key areas ie ovaries and endometrial lining or simply to provide relaxation through a rigorous and often exhausting treatment regime.

Most Músculo skeletal conditions respond excellently to acupuncture ie back, knee, any joint pain, headaches, neuralgias, Osteo-arthritis, sprains, strains and sore muscles.

Dietary and gastro intestinal issues, gynea issues, a broad spectrum of conditions can be treated with acupuncture and/or Chinese Herbal medicine.