Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a method of treatment that has been practiced for thousands of years in many Asian countries besides China, and is used as a means of treating and preventing disease through the insertion of needles into the body.
Acupuncture is effective in healing a wide range of problems and is also effective for pain-relief. Its low cost is attractive to both individual patients and large healthcare organizations.

Acupuncture treatment
A typical acupuncture treatment includes a detailed medical history questionnaire, followed by a patient interview and physical examination. This will ensure that the most considered and appropriate therapy is given, and that the treatment plan will be based on thorough fact–gathering. The principles of diagnosis can then be effectively applied to the individual case. Specific acu-points will be selected, based on the history and underlying cause of the disorder, in order to expel the exogenous pathogen and resolve the internal condition.

Results of Acupuncture
Acupuncture therapy generally produces a feeling of relaxation and wellbeing.
Occasionally, a slight increase in symptoms can occur but this is generally moderate and very temporary. Results can be remarkably quick in some cases, but often they will take some time. Several treatments are required before results can be expected, as the body gradually adjusts to the rebalancing of the body’s organ systems brought about by the acupuncture. Herbal therapy may be used as adjunct therapy in the practice.

Diseases treated by acupuncture therapy
Acupuncture is widely used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases, some with significant results.
In 1980, the World Health Organization of the United Nations issued a list of diseases that acupuncture is shown to treat effectively.

Respiratory Tract
Acute sinusitis, rhinitis (inflammation of mucous membrane in the nose), common cold and acute tonsillitis. Broncho-Pulmonary disordersAcute bronchitis and bronchial asthma (most effective in children and in patients without concomitant disease).

Disorders of the eye
Acute conjunctivitis, central retinitis, myopia (children), cataract (without complications).

Disorders of the mouth cavity
Toothache, pain after tooth extraction, gingivitis, acute and chronic pharyngitis.

Gastrointestinal disorders
Spasm of the oesophagus and cardia, hiccups, indigestion, spastic colon, gastroptosis, acute and chronic gastritis, gastric hyperacidity, chronic duodenal ulcer, acute and chronic colitis, acute bacterial dysentery, constipation, diarrhoea and paralytic ileus (painful obstruction of the intestine).

Neurological and orthopaedic disorders
Headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, paralysis after apoplectic fit, peripheral neuropathy, paralysis caused by poliomyelitis, Meniere’s Syndrome, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, nocturnal enuresis, intercostals neuralgia, periarthritis humero-scapularis, tennis elbow, sciatica and lumbar Pain, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Other conditions
In addition to the list produced by the World Health Organisation, there are many other conditions that acupuncture has been effective in treating, such as reproductive disorders, hypertension, insomnia, and skin problems such as psoriasis, sports injuries, allergies, arthritis, Bell’s Palsy, addictive disorders and general acute or chronic ailments.

Treatments