Q&A
Holistic Care Questions
As part of our service, we want you to be in the know regarding everything we do here at AcuCentre. That is precisely why we’ve compiled answers and advice from our experts to address all of your common inquiries. Scroll below to learn more.
What is acupuncture?
What conditions can be treated by acupuncture?
What characteristics does acupuncture have?
How does acupuncture work?
What factors are related to the effect of acupuncture?
Are there any conditions upon which acupuncture has little effect?
How many treatments will I need?
What can I expect after treatment?
What criteria should I use in choosing an acupuncturist?
Does acupuncture hurt?
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points which have been empirically and experimentally proven effective in the treatment of specific disorders.
Acupuncture is an indispensable part of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the prevention and control of diseases. It was invented by the ancient Chinese between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago. Through the long-term accumulation of experience and development of needling tools, the academic accomplishments of ancient acupuncture were made about 3,000 years ago.
Acupuncture is the world’s oldest medical therapy and has been used by China for 10,000 years until now. Since the sixth century, it has been introduced to other countries and is now becoming more and more popular all over the world because of its safety, effectiveness and efficiency in treating a wide range of health problems.
What conditions can be treated by acupuncture?
The World Health Organization (WHO) publicly announced in 1980 that acupuncture is suitable for treating the following:
1. Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
Toothaches, pain after tooth extraction, gingivitis, acute or chronic otitis, acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, nasal catarrh, and acute tonsillitis.
2. Respiratory Disorders
Bronchial asthma (in children or adults when uncomplicated).
3. Gastrointestinal Disorders
Oesophageal and cardio spasm, hiccup, gastroptosis, acute or chronic gastritis, sour stomach, chronic duodenal ulcers, acute or chronic colonitis, acute bacillary dysentery, constipation, diarrhoea, and paralytic ileus.
4. Eye disorders
Acute conjunctivitis, central retints, near sightedness (in children), and cataracts without complications.
5. Neurological and muscular Disorders
Headaches, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis (within the first 3-6 months), post— stroke paresis, peripheral neuritis, neurological bladder dysfunction, bed—wetting, intercostals neuralgia, cervical syndrome, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, low back pain, and osteoarthritis.
In addition, acupuncture has been used for centuries in China to treat a host of other problems effectively, such as epilepsy, mental disorders, arthritis, rheumatism, sprains and strains, most gynaecological complaints and some obstetrical conditions.
What characteristics does acupuncture have?
Compared to any other therapies, acupuncture is suitable for nearly all disorders. It is effective, fast working and safe, and has little side effects when professionally administered.
Benefits
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, life force flows throughout the body through a number of energy lines. These energy lines are grouped into 12 meridians, 8 extraordinary meridians, 15 major collaterals and a very large number of small collaterals distributed throughout the body.
Not only do the meridians and collaterals allow the life force energy to flow around the body, but they also connect the major internal organs to various tissues and organs on the outer surface (or superficial portion) of the body.
This provides the body with an overall organic integrity.
Within the network of the meridians and collaterals, the meridians form the main trunks and pertain to their respective major organs. The collaterals and their minor branches carry and distribute energy and life force all over the body.
If an internal major organ does not work properly or its corresponding tissues and superficial organs are damaged or dysfunctional, stimulating specific points along the meridians can promote free flow of the life force energy and restore the normality and harmony.