Acupuncture
Background
Acupuncture is an ancient system of medicine from the East that dates back over 4000 years. It was found that stimulation of specific areas on the skin affected the functioning of various organs. The resulting healing was unique to each individual. There are at least 365 acupuncture points that lie under the skin and are spread over the body. They lie within meridians or energy lines which encircle the body and penetrate the organs. An intrinsic energy, qi, ki, or chi is distributed through the meridians. Its blockage, under or over activity, is ultimately responsible for disease and may occur as a result of life stresses, overwork, bad posture, poor diet or excess emotion such as anger.
Traditional or constitutional acupuncture will treat the whole person in an individualised way. It can treat physical, mental or deeper problems such as headaches, indigestion, lack of concentration, low spirits or lack of confidence. Moxibustion is an adjunctive treatment. It is stimulating and warms the chi, by using a burning herb.
Western acupuncture uses the same needling technique but is based on affecting nerve impulses and the central nervous system.
Diagnosis involves an acupuncturist understanding a person's individual lifestyle, nutrition, medical history and so on. It includes an energetic, colour, sound, odour and emotion, and tongue diagnosis. In addition there are 12 Chinese pulses, and a physical diagnosis. All are a reflection of the state of the energetic pathways. The diagnosis will establish which pathways require some adjustment in order for health to improve.
Symptomatic acupuncture is not constitutional and is based on the knowledge that needling around a specific area will address the chi locally and for example help to disperse pain or stiffness. It is appropriate only on a short term basis. The roots of the initial problem need to be explored.
Auriculotherapy is acupuncture on the ear. The ear is seen to be a mirror image of the human foetus in the intrauterine position, head downwards. Fashionable for addictive habits it is also effective for pain relief.
What can be treated ?
The World Health Authority has identified 40 conditions that can be treated by acupuncture.
Many people have acupuncture for help with specific symptoms and conditions. These might include states of anxiety, arthritis, asthma, neck and back pain, circulatory problems, depression, facial paralysis, fibrositis, high blood pressure, indeterminate aches and pains, infertility, menstrual problems, migraines, rheumatism, sciatica, skin conditions or ulcers.
Acupuncture may be used in the West as an anaesthetic agent, painkiller and to combat nausea.
Acupuncture is a safe treatment for all. It has also been proven to be effective in pregnancy and for the relief of pain in childbirth. Acupuncture is also helpful for people trying to overcome addictions such as smoking, alcohol, food or drugs.
Some people may have acupuncture as a preventive measure to strengthen their constitution, or because they feel unwell in themselves without actually being 'ill'. It can also be used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease. As with any therapy, the response to acupuncture can vary from one person to another.
What does the treatment involve ?
At your first consultation the acupuncturist will need to assess your general state of health. You will be asked about your current symptoms and if you have received any treatment so far, your medical history and that of your immediate family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state.
Four examinations will be performed; asking, observing, listening and touching.
Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the acupuncturist can select the most appropriate treatment. The aim is to discover which energy channels need adjusting for your specific complaint to improve, and which require treatment to boost your overall energy and vitality.
There are around 500 recognised acupuncture points on the body, of which about 100 are most commonly used. Stimulation of specific areas on the skin affects the functioning of certain organs in the body. However, those areas may not be close to the part of the body where the problem is experienced. For example, although you may suffer from headaches, needles may be inserted in your foot or hand.
The acupuncturist may supplement the needle treatment with moxa, a smouldering herb which is used to warm acupuncture points to encourage the body's energy flow smoothly. Other methods of stimulating acupuncture points include using lasers or electro-acupuncture. Massage or tapping with a rounded probe are techniques particularly suitable for small children or for people with a fear of needles
Most people's experience of needles is of those used in injections and blood tests. Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to these. The single use needles are much finer and are solid rather than hollow. When the needle is inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache. The needles are inserted to a depth of 5-25 mm.
Needles are inserted either for a second or two, or left in place for up to 20 minutes, depending upon the required effect. During treatment, patients may feel a heaviness of the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation. At the end of the treatment, which lasts 30-60 minutes, the needles are quickly withdrawn leaving no puncture marks.
The benefits of acupuncture often include increased energy levels, improvement in appetite and better sleeping habits as well as sense of well-being.
The number of treatments required depends on the individual, usually 5-20. Some change is usually felt after five treatments. Normally you are recommended to visit your acupuncturist once or twice a week at first, although some conditions may need less frequent attention.
Sometimes the effects of the treatment are dramatic, and only one or two treatments are required. With other patients, the effects are more subtle and they may need treatment over several months.
If you are receiving treatment from your doctor then it makes sense to tell him or her about your plans to have acupuncture.
You should always tell your acupuncturist about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.
Is it safe?
Acupuncture is a safe treatment providing it is carried out by a qualified professional. Always check that the person who is carrying out your treatment is qualified and a member of a recognised association.
Tissue damage and infections have been reported. The risk of infection is minimised by using sterile single use needles.
What is the evidence ?
Overview - Ernst E, Clinical effectiveness of acupuncture: an overview of systematic reviews. In Acupuncture: a scientific appraisal. Ernst E, White A, eds. Butterworth Heinmann, Oxford 1999.
Back pain - Waddell G et al Low back pain evidence review. London: Royal College of General Practitioners. Feb 1999
Neck pain - Irnich D. et al. Randomised trial of acupuncture compared with conventional massage and sham laser acupuncture for treatment of chronic neck pain. BMJ. 2001;322:1574-1577
Migraine - Vincent CA, A controlled trial of the treatment of migraine by acupuncture. Clinical Journal of Pain 1989; 5(4):305-12
Irregular periods - Helms JM. Acupuncture for the management of primary dysmenorrhoea. Obstetric and Gynae. 1987; 69:51-56
Further info www.ebandolier.com
How to find a qualified therapist
Medically qualified acupuncturists
British Medical Acupuncture Society
Royal Homeopathic Hospital
60 Great Ormond St
London WC1 3HR
www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk
Tel: 020 7278 1615
Physiotherapists practising acupuncture
Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapist Secretariat
Abbey View Complementary Clinic
The Medical Centre
Shaftesbury
Dorset SP7 8DH
www.aacp.uk.com
Tele: 01747 861151
None medically qualified acupuncturists
The British Acupuncture Council
63 Jeddo Road
London W12 9HQ
www.acupuncture.org.uk
Tele: 0208 7350400
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