Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Developed and practiced throughout Asia for the past five thousand years, Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture, brings a wealth of knowledge to the diagnosis and treatment of pain and illness.

It is based on the belief that living beings have a vital energy, called "qi", that circulates through twelve invisible energy lines known as meridians on the body. Each meridian is associated with a different organ system. An imbalance in the flow of qi throughout a meridian is how disease begins.

Physio on Brunswick offers a combination of the Traditional Chinese Medicine & Western approach with a more detailed understanding as to how these meridian pathways can influence musculoskeletal and general health.

Traditional Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine disposable needles into the muscle tissue at specific points on the body along meridian lines to influence and restore balance to the flow of qi. There are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the body. This technique frees constrictions in the body's myofascial fabric, resulting in the release of pain and muscular tension. Simultaneously, the technique regulates internal functions such as digestive enzymes levels and hormone secretion. The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.

In 1997, the US National Institutes of Health released a consensus statement endorsing acupuncture for the treatment of a variety of conditions such as post-operative pain, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Acupuncture is helpful for musculoskeletal pain and injuries, headaches, insomnia, stress, digestive disorders, fatigue and more.

How Acupuncture Works

There are numerous theories about how acupuncture works. Some of them are:

• acupuncture stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins
•  acupuncture influences the release of neurotransmitters, substances that transmit nerve impulses to the    brain
•  acupuncture influences the autonomic nervous system
•  acupuncture stimulates circulation
•  acupuncture influences the electrical currents of the body

Conditions Treated By Acupuncture

• migraines and tension headaches
•  sinusitis
•  common cold
• addictions ie quitting smoking
•  trigeminal neuralgia
•  Meniere's disease
•  tennis elbow
• sciatica
• arthritis
• menstrual cramps
•  fibromyalgia
•  low back pain
•  asthma
• weight loss
•  infertility

What a Typical Acupuncture Treatment is Like

Before the initial appointment, clients usually complete a health history questionnaire. The acupuncturist then interviews the client, asking about his or her primary health concern, lifestyle habits, diet, emotions, menstrual cycle, sleep, temperature, appetite, stress, and sensitivity to foods, temperature, and seasons. During the interview, the acupuncturist examines the client carefully, noting his or her face color, voice, and tongue colour and coating. There are also three pulse points at the wrist of each hand that the acupuncturist may assess to further determine the health of the 12 meridians.

After the interview, the acupuncturist gives a diagnosis and begins treatment. Typically, the acupuncturist will use 6-12 needles during the treatment. The number of needles used does not correspond with the intensity of the treatment, rather it is the precise placement of the needles that is important.

Upon insertion, the client may feel a slight sting or prick. Once the needle is inserted, there should be no pain. You should feel comfortable during the treatment. If you experience pain, numbness, or discomfort, notify the acupuncturist immediately.

Treatment length varies from seconds to longer than one hour. The typical length is about 20 to 30 minutes. The acupuncturist may use the following techniques during the treatment
moxibustion - heating of acupuncture needles with dried herb sticks to activate and warm the acupuncture point. Also known as "moxa".
cupping - the application of glass cups to create a suction on the skin. This is to relieve stagnation of qi and blood, e.g. in sports injury.
herbal medicine - Chinese herbs may be given in the form of teas, pills, and capsules to supplement acupuncture treatment.
electrostimulation - provides electrical stimulation to two to four acupuncture needles. Can be used for pain relief and muscle pain.
laser acupuncture - non-needle stimulation of needles
acupressure massage

Does Acupuncture work?

According to the NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture, there have been many studies on acupuncture's potential usefulness, but results have been mixed because of complexities with study design and size, as well as difficulties with choosing and using placebos or sham acupuncture.

However, promising results have emerged, showing efficacy of acupuncture, for example, in adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain.

There are other situations--such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma--in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.

An NCCAM-funded study recently showed that acupuncture provides pain relief, improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, and serves as an effective complement to standard care. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful.

Other sites for further information on Acupuncture:
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/treatmentsad/a/acupuncture.htm

http://healing.about.com/od/acupuncture/ss/whatisacpunctre_3.htm

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/alternativetreatments/a/acupuncture.htm

Acupuncture is one of the best known of the alternative therapies.

Many people have insurance coverage for acupuncture.

Book a session with Terry Castelli, our full time Acupuncturist and feel the difference! Terry is also recognised by most private health funds.
There are also a number of physiotherapists in the clinic that have done further education in using combined acupuncture with other techniques. Please refer to the Staff Profiles page to find out more.

Benefits of Acupuncture Treatments for Bodybuilding and Other Athletes

Learn How Acupuncture Can Help Your Bodybuilding Training And Performance:

By Hugo Rivera, About.com Guide

by Cindi Fox Kemp
Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and Licensed Acupuncturist.

Introduction To Acupuncture

From aerobics to weightlifting, acupuncture can provide enormous benefits to top bodybuilding or any other professional athletes, as well as a weekend warrior just looking for adventure. The basic principle of acupuncture is to realign and rebalance the energy in the body.

Which Athletes Benefit From Acupuncture?

Acupuncture can be beneficial for those practicing bodybuilding and for any other athletes who are training in competitive sports, aerobics, martial arts, outdoor training, or any strenuous activity as it enhances performance and gives the athlete a competitive edge.

Competition is not just about physical strength or endurance; it is also about psychological confidence, which can significantly affect performance skills. Acupuncture can enhance the ability to stay focused, lower anxiety, and jump psychological obstacles which stand in their way.

Benefits of Acupuncture

There are many benefits provided by acupuncture that can help an athlete that participates in any sport:

Acupuncture Helps The Body To Heal Itself From Injury While Reducing Pain At The Same Time:

For anyone who is physically active, an injury may occur, either acutely or chronically, over time. Statistics show that adults suffer more than one million sports-related traumas annually. Injuries may include fractures, muscle strains, strained ligaments, tendons or joints, shin splints along a variety of other strains. Typically, the back, shoulders, elbows, knees, and feet are most affected during a sports related injury. Arthritis is a chronic condition which can be a result of a sports-related injury, manifesting over a long-period of time.

While massage therapy relaxes muscles and tendons, acupuncture supports and reinforces the whole body to heal itself. Acupuncture reduces the pain and speeds healing in addition to strengthening the body by reducing swelling or spasms, improving blood circulation, and stimulating natural endorphins and anti-inflammatory hormones in the body.

Acupuncture Enhances Performance By Cleansing The Body Organs:

Acupuncture can also cleanse the body organs, which may hold unnecessary toxins, tension and stress. Qi, live-giving energy that flows to every cell, tissue, muscle, and organ in your body through 14 main meridian pathways, can become stagnated. Acupuncture can attract or repel this energy, re-establishing a balanced flow of energy throughout the whole body.

Most Oriental Medicine practitioners do include the use of natural herbs during treatment, though they are not the synthetic medicines or steroids that have led to so many controversies. Natural herbs are used in conjunction with acupuncture, and can provide the body with important nutrients which can help improve energy levels and support the overall immune system.

Conclusion

It is clear that acupuncture can improve performance, boost confidence, cleanse the body of toxins, and provide support during times of injury. So, as you head out to the gym or prepare for that marathon, drink lots of water, stretch, and consider acupuncture as part of your health regimen.

About The Author:

Cindi Fox Kemp, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and Licensed Acupuncturist, is nationally board certified and has been practicing Acupuncture since 2004. She has successfully treated many athletes for a multitude of musculoskeletal and performance related conditions. For more information, you can visit her website at http://www.acuwellcenter.com.

http://bodybuilding.about.com/od/injurypreventiontreatment/a/Acupuncture.htm