Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment which can relieve symptoms of some physical and psychological conditions and may encourage the patient's body to heal and repair itself, if it is able to do so.

Acupuncture stimulates the nerves in skin and muscle, and can produce a variety of effects. We know that it increases the body's release of natural painkillers - endorphin and serotonin - in the pain pathways of both the spinal cord and the brain. This modifies the way pain signals are recieved.

But acupuncture does much more than reduce pain, and has a beneficial effect on health. Patients often notice an improved sense of wellbeing after treatment.

Modern research shows that acupuncture can affect most of the body's systems - the nervous system, muscle tone, hormone outputs, circulation, antibody production and allergic responses, as well as the respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.

Each patient has an assessment and treatment is tailored to the individual; so it is impossible to give more than a general idea of what treatment might involve. Typically, fine needles are inserted through the skin and left in position briefly, sometimes with manual or electrical stimulation. The number of needles varies but may be only 2 or 3.

Treatment might be once a week to being with, then longer intervals as the condition responds. A typical course of treatments lasts 5 to 8 sessions.

Uses for acupuncture

Pain relief for a wide range of painful condtions - back, shoulder, neck and leg pain. Headaches, migraines, trapped nerves, chronic muscle strain, sport injuries and various kinds of arthritic and rheumatic pain.

Functional bowel or bladder problems such as IBS or even mild forms of incontinence. Menstrual and menopausal symptoms

Allergies such as hay fever, perennial allergic rhinitis, and some types of rashes, ulcers, itching and some forms of dermatitis.

Sinus problems and chronic catarrh, Dry mouth and eyes

Can also help with stopping smoking