Most people have an awareness of what acupuncture entails, but few know what it actually does. The mental image of a patient laid on a table looking like a hedgehog typically comes to mind. And while this isn’t a million miles away from the reality, it does miss a few points. So, in this post we would like to go through exactly what acupuncture is, what it entails and what the benefits of it can be.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment which has gain popularity in the west. It involves inserting needles into the body in order to bring pain relief and ease muscular tension.
In the traditional sense, practitioners believe that person’s energy, or Qi (pronounced ‘chee’), flows through the body on channels called meridians. If your Qi is interrupted, then you fall into ill health. Acupuncture can help restore the natural flow of Qi, and thus improve your health.
What Does it Entail?
After an initial diagnosis the acupuncture practitioner inserts very fine, single use needles, into the skin or occasionally a bit deeper, into the muscle. You are then left for a certain amount of time (anywhere from 5-30mins depending on the treatment), before the needles are removed.
Typically, there are multiple treatments, with patients often reporting the greatest benefits occuring after multiple sessions. The first appointment is often longer, due to the diagnoses involved.
What Are the Benefits of Acupuncture?
It is claimed that acupuncture can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments. However, the most common use is for the treatment of pain. Most modern science believes that by inserting needles you are triggering your body’s natural pain relief methods – thus it is a very natural, organic treatment.
What to Look Out For
One special point that is worth mentioning is that there is currently no statutory regulation of acupuncture in England. In any treatment it is important that the practitioner is qualified and can work safely – this is doubly important when needles are being inserted into the body.
The British Acupuncture Council holds a register of practitioners that has been vetted and approved by the Professional Standards Authority. All the practitioners here at Morley Chiropractic Clinic are registered with the BAC and have undertaken numerous qualifications. You can be assured of the highest working practices.
To book an appointment with one of our acupuncture practitioners just click here or call us on 0113 2383693.
