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 received.
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.
During your first consultation I assess each patient’s case and treatment is tailored to the individual.
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 two or three.
Treatment might be once a week to begin with, then at longer intervals as the condition responds. A typical course of treatment lasts 5 to 8 sessions.
2.1 Assessing your health
During your first session I will normally ask about your symptoms, and will also enquire about the type of treatment you have received up until now. I may also ask you questions about your lifestyle, such as your sleeping and eating habits.
After assessing your health and symptoms, I may then look at your tongue, as the colour and coating of your tongue can be a good indication of what is happening inside your body.
I may also measure your pulse measured in both wrists to measure the quality, rhythm, and strength.
2.2 Inserting the needles
There are over 500 acupuncture points on the body. Acupuncture points are places on your body which are thought to affect the way that your organs and tissues function.
During an acupuncture session, normally 10-12 acupuncture points are used and may differ from session to session, as your treatment progresses.
During an acupuncture session, you will normally be asked to sit, or lie down. You may also be asked to remove some parts of your clothing, so that I can access the relevant acupuncture points on your body.
Once I have identified which points are going to be used, a number of ultra-fine needles are placed into the points. They are normally inserted between half a centimetre, to several centimetres into your skin. These needles are single-use, pre-sterilised needles, which are disposed of immediately after use.
2.3 Is it painful?
When the needles are inserted, you may feel a tingling sensation, or a dull ache. You should NOT experience any pain.
The needles used for acupuncture are very different to those used in injections, or blood tests. They are much finer and solid (rather than hollow), making them easy to insert.
2.4 How long does an acupuncture session last?
Once the needles used in acupuncture are inserted, they will be left in place for between 5-30 minutes, depending on the type of treatment you require.
In some cases, acupuncture needles will be inserted and then removed a few seconds later.
Most acupuncture sessions last between 20-40 minutes.
You will normally require approximately 6-12 sessions of acupuncture in order to feel the full benefits of the treatment.
3.1 Acupuncture and conventional medicine
A lot of people use acupuncture when they find conventional medical treatments do not work for them. Others use acupuncture alongside more conventional treatment, as a way of enhancing their existing treatment, and speeding their recovery.
Some people find that their medical treatment is causing unwanted side effects, and therefore they may try acupuncture as an alternative.
If your GP is treating you for a condition or illness, it is advisable that you inform them about your acupuncture treatment. This means that they can it take into consideration when working out how best to treat your condition.
Some people who have acupuncture find that they are able to reduce, or eventually stop taking, certain forms of medication. However, under no circumstances should you stop taking any prescribed medication, unless your GP specifically advises you to.
3.2 Which conditions can acupuncture help treat?
It is very hard to compile a definitive list of conditions that acupuncture can treat.
It has been proven that acupuncture does encourage the body to release natural painkilling substances (endorphins), which means that it is most effective in easing your symptoms of pain and discomfort.
Studies have shown that acupuncture is most effective in helping ease the symptoms of the following conditions:
- migraine,
- headache,
- dental pain,
- neck pain,
- chronic (long-lasting) back pain,
- post-operative pain, and
- nausea (particularly chemotherapy-induced nausea)
Although these are some of the only conditions which studies have conclusively proven to be affected by acupuncture, many people have found that the treatment has helped them with other conditions and health-related problems.
Studies have shown that acupuncture may have a limited effect on other conditions, although further research is needed before its effect can be proven. These conditions include:
- fatigue,
- digestive disorders,
- anxiety,
- depression,
- insomnia,
- asthma, and
- hayfever.
Acupuncture is a very safe form of treatment that has few side effects.
Acupuncture should not make your condition worse and, following treatment, your symptoms should either remain the same, or they should improve.
In the UK, it is estimated that approximately two million people undergo private acupuncture treatment each year and approximately one million people have acupuncture treatment through the NHS each year.
4.1 Pregnancy
It is safe for you to have acupuncture while you are pregnant, but you must let me know before you begin your treatment. This is because some acupuncture points cannot be used during pregnancy.
Acupuncture may be effective in treating a number of conditions during pregnancy, such as morning sickness and constipation, and has also been used by some women to help induce labour.
4.2 Drugs and alcohol
You should never have acupuncture while you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol because they may cause your body to react abnormally to the treatment.
5.1 Chinese philosophy
The traditional Chinese philosophy on which acupuncture is based states that your health is dependent on the body's energy force, known as 'Qi'. When you are healthy, Qi moves in a smooth, fluid way through a series of channels in the body called 'meridians'.
When you are faced with a physical, mental, or emotional problem, or illness, the Qi is disrupted, and your health worsens. By inserting needles into your body's meridians, it can help to release any blockages in the energy flow. It also helps to restore the body's natural balance by stimulating its own healing process.
5.2 Medical explanation
Although not all of the effects of acupuncture can be explained using conventional medicine, there has been some scientific research which shows how acupuncture can stimulate the body and reduce pain.
When you insert needles into acupuncture points, it can help stimulate nerves, muscles, and tissue in your body. This stimulation then encourages the body to release certain chemicals, such as endorphins, and serotonin. Endorphins are the body's natural form of painkillers, and your brain releases these chemicals at times of pain and stress. Serotonin is a chemical that can affect your mood, emotions, and behaviour. It can also provide pain relief.
If carried out by a qualified practitioner such as myself, acupuncture is a very safe form of treatment, with few side effects.
Serious complications, such as infection, and damaged organs, or tissue, are extremely rare, and usually only occur as a result of bad practice, or a poorly trained acupuncturist.
A properly trained acupuncturist will always use clean needles and dispose of them after every use.
6.1 Bleeding and bruising
In some cases, acupuncture can cause soreness, bleeding, and bruising, at the points on your skin where the needles enter.
If you develop these symptoms, make sure that you tell your acupuncturist so that they know to avoid certain acupuncture points in the future, or to insert the needle in a different way.
Bleeding and bruising is very rare following acupuncture. However, there is still a slight risk, so people with bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia (where your blood is unable to clot), or those taking medication which thins the blood (anti-coagulants), may not be able to have acupuncture.
If you have a blood disorder, or you are taking medication which thins your blood, make sure that you talk to your GP before you undergo any acupuncture treatment.
6.2 Qualified acupuncturists
If you decide to have acupuncture, it is important to visit a properly qualified and registered acupuncturist like myself. At the moment, anyone in the UK can call themselves an acupuncturist because it is not a state regulated profession. It is therefore very important to ask your acupuncturist about their training, qualifications, and experience.
There are several UK acupuncture authorities that employ trained and experienced acupuncturists. By contacting these organisations, you can find qualified acupuncturists practicing in your local area. These acupuncture authorities include:
- The British Acupuncture Council (BacC),
- The British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS),
- The British Academy of Western Medical Acupuncture (BAWMA), and
- The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP).
You can contact the BacC by calling 020 8735 0400, or by visiting their website.
The BMAS also offer an online search facility which allows you to search an online database of qualified practitioners.
7.1 How will I feel afterwards?
Acupuncture can affect everyone differently. After acupuncture treatment, some people feel relaxed and calm, while others feel alert and energised.
In some cases, acupuncture can leave you feeling tired and lethargic for a few hours following your treatment session.
If you feel tired, drowsy, or lethargic following your acupuncture, make sure you do not drive, or operate machinery, until you feel more alert and awake.
Following an acupuncture session, some people find that the symptoms of their condition, or illness, temporarily worsen, or 'flare-up'. Some people also experience sweating, dizziness, and feel faint.
These effects are usually short-lasting, and pass within a few hours.