Acupuncture

Introduction

Acupuncture works with single-use disposable needles inserted below the skin. The scientific basis of how acupuncture works is related to changes in blood flow to promote soft-tissue healing, and effects on the nervous system (gate-control theory of pain, neurotransmitters, endorphins, serotonin and so on).

Traditional (Chinese Medicine) clinical paradigms of how acupuncture works, developed over thousands of years of empirical clinical observation and refinement, and describe changes in physiological processes and homeostasis in different language. These traditional acupuncture concepts, models and explanations (qi and blood, five phases, yin and yang polarity, etc) can provide a good working model of whole body processes, mechanisms and inter-relationships.

Acupuncture does far more than treat joint and muscle pain, headaches etc. Emotional balance and stress-related symptoms, and many health issues, e.g. digestion, asthma, skin disorders, and both men’s and women’s health can benefit. Acupuncture treats the person — the whole body, not just the illness or isolated symptoms.

Suggested Resourses:

Find an Acupuncturist in Australia

• Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association
• Australian Yellow Pages on-line

Find an Acupuncturist in the UK

• British Acupuncture Council
• UK Yellow Pages on-line