Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced for over 3000 years in China and since the early 1800s in the West. Chinese Medicine defines good health as a state of harmony or balance between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects. It takes into account the age, lifestyle, diet, level of stress and emotional state of the person.
What is Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine ?
The Chinese documented and made diagrams of the flow of energy through the body. These energy flows are known as "meridians". Each of the organs within the body is represented by a meridian and using acupuncture points on the meridian can treat a disease of a particular organ. Acupuncture points are the precise areas representing the maximum influence of the flow of energy.
How Does Acupuncture Work ?
An imbalance is treated by the insertion of fine needles through the skin at specific points on the meridians. This effects a change in the energy balance of the organ being treated and/or the body as a whole and works to restore health. This can be enhanced by the addition of heat, suction cups or electrotherapy. Herbal preparations may also be prescribed if appropriate.
The insertion of the needles by a qualified acupuncturist is not a painful process. Acupuncture has no undesirable side effects. The needles used are sterile and disposable.
Acupuncture works most effectively with a series of treatments in succession. Generally, the more chronic the condition, the more treatments necessary to achieve a successful result. In an acute condition, visible results can be achieved in one or two treatments. Members of VHI, Quinn Health Direct, Vivas, and HSA can claim a refund of some of the cost of their treatment.
What can Acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is successfully used to treat a wide variety of ailments including back pain, muscular-skeletal problems, fatigue, sports injuries, whiplash, infertility, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), sinusitis, asthma, sciatica, insomnia, headaches, menstrual disorders, digestive problems, skin problems, depression, stress, smoking addiction, anxiety and many other problems.
