What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the most well known aspect of Chinese Medicine and may be used alone or in conjunction with herbal medicine, moxibustion (the heating of specific acupuncture points using the herb Artemisia), or tui na (Chinese massage). It is likely that the acupuncture practitioner will also offer dietary and lifestyle advice or suggest a course of exercise.....
How does acupuncture work?
In more recent times, in terms of Western Medicine, rigorous scientific research has confirmed that acupuncture promotes the production of a variety of chemical substances in the body. These help relieve pain and relax muscles, help regulate nerve transmission, enhance the immune system, regulate hormones and blood flow and reduce inflammation......
Is Acupuncture suitable for me?
Acupuncture can be used for an enormous variety of conditions from sporting injuries to digestive upsets or even the common cold. People from newborns to the elderly could benefit from a course of treatment. Acupuncture is a relatively safe method with a history of many thousands of years. It can be used not only for the treatment of conditions or illnesses but also to help keep you well and prevent illness taking hold.
What happens during a typical treatment?
Chinese Medicine is a holistic treatment and your practitioner will take an extensive case history, covering every aspect of your health, diet and lifestyle before making a diagnosis. This may include asking seemingly unrelated questions about such things as your response to changes in the weather, your menstrual cycle even if the condition you are attending for is not related to your cycle or whether you sleep with your feet out from under the blankets......
What will a treatment be like? Does it hurt?
For most people receiving treatment is quite relaxing. When the needle initially penetrates the skin, you will feel a small pinch. After the needle is inserted, acupuncturist will stimulate it to encourage the arrival of Qi to that acupuncture point. The arrival of Qi (pronounced Chee) may feel similar to a dull or heavy ache, a tingling, a numbing, warmth or an electrical sensation. After the needles settle down, most of patients may fall to sleep due to the relaxation and comfort.
What is an acupuncture needle?
Acupuncture needles are very fine steel or gold filaments which can easily fit through the opening of a blood drawing needle. The needles are applied in strategic locations to affect a change in the energetic flow of the body. The needles we use are sterile and disposable. No needles are ever reused even on the same patient. There is no medication on the needles.
Is Acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very safe when practiced by a qualified practitioner. After many years of full time training, members of NZRA have an in-depth knowledge of Chinese Medicine and the meridian system as well as anatomy and physiology from a Western medical perspective. All members of NZRA must use sterile single use needles and abide by the Clinical Guidelines of the organization. Occasionally a small bruise may occur at the site of the needle insertion but this is not usually painful and will clear in a few days.
Is acupuncture always successful?
Acupuncture could be applied to a wide range of problems and illness. However, for some situation, the outcome of acupuncture treatment might not be so amazing. We are down-to-earth acupuncturists so when you come to our door, we will consider your condition very thoroughly and carefully. Then, we will tell you what we can do to reach your expectation and what our limitation is, as your good health is the very first thing we are concerned about. We trust you, in the meanwhile, you need to trust us.