Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of complementary therapy. It has been used in China for over 2,000 years, based on the principle that vital energy flows freely throughout the body in a series of channels called meridians. Many of the acupuncture points used today are based on those derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Today acupuncture is now widely accepted all over the world and is used by many of the world’s renowned athletes, celebrities and those that live a sedentary lifestyle. Acupuncture can be used on its own or in combination with physical therapy to help treat a wide variety of physiological or psychological conditions.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used as part of an approach to manage pain and inflammation alongside conventional medicine. Typical conditions may include musculoskeletal or sports injuries to every day aches and pains, stresses and strains. Amongst other things, acupuncture is considered a beneficial addition to help maintain and support health and well-being thereby promoting a balanced lifestyle which may prevent the likelihood of succumbing to everyday illness and effects of modern-day stress.
How it works
There are approximately over 500 acupuncture points on the body. These points are places on your body that are thought to affect the way that our organs and tissues function. Acupuncturists insert very fine sterile needles into the skin at certain acupuncture points on the body to help restore the natural balance of Yin and Yang by freeing our life energy (also referred to as Chi, Qi or Ki). According to this principle, our health is affected when this energy stops flowing freely. Stimulation by acupuncture at various points on the body helps to restore the healthy flow of energy in the body thereby helping to restore the body’s equilibrium. The combinations of different acupuncture points are used to treat different conditions. Usually 10-12 acupuncture points are used during an acupuncture treatment. Patients may feel a sensation of tingling when the needles are inserted, however it should not feel painful. Patients often notice an improved sense of wellbeing after treatment.
The Science
Medical research supports its use, demonstrating an influence on centres in the brain and spinal cord which are responsible for pain relief. A possible scientific explanation for acupuncture is that the insertion of needles stimulates deep sensory nerves in the body to produce natural pain relieving chemicals (endorphins) and other substances. These substances, once released in the body, can help with pain relief and assist the body to heal itself.
Studies have shown that acupuncture has an analgesic effect by stimulating the secretion of opioid peptides such as β-endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins, which act in the central nervous system to produce analgesic effects (1).
Other systematic reviews concluded ‘acupuncture therapy to be an efficacious strategy for acute pain, with potential to avoid or reduce opioid reliance’ (2).
The (WHO) recommends Acupuncture
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends acupuncture as an effective treatment for over forty medical problem’s including allergies, respiratory conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, gynaecological problems, nervous conditions, and disorders of the eyes, nose and throat, and childhood illnesses, among others.
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Careful needle positioning
Needles don’t have to be placed in the area where there is a problem.
To avoid placing a needle in an area that might be tender or sensitive, the needle can be placed in specific locations further away.
To help visualise where the positive effect of these needles can be felt, think of a needle casting a shadow across the body.
For example, to help lower back pain, a needle can be inserted in the calf, its shadow will spread upwards, covering the lower back as in the diagram.
Cathy Wren
I was recommended by my GP practice to try a pain specialist due to suffering with chronic migraines (cluster headaches) and shoulder pain.
From the radio graphic information provided and one appointment with Nick, I came out a different person, as Nick was able to find the underlying source of my migraine and shoulder problem.
Thanks to him I am now mobile and pain free.
I highly recommend Nick's pain relief clinic and style of treatments.
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References
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Biochemistry, Endogenous Opioids: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/11/1624
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Acupuncture Therapy as an Evidence-Based Nonpharmacologic Strategy for Comprehensive Acute Pain Care: The Academic Consortium Pain Task Force White Paper Update: https://search.app/utK7pMD5rb4WYMb68
