Acupuncture

Acupuncture and Pain Relief Treatments

Acupuncture: If you're impacted by a medical condition and have been unable to gain relief through conventional medical channels you may need to look into trying acupuncture. Obviously any kind of treatment is determined by what ailment you're suffering from, acupuncture can be used for a wide variety of aches, ailments and pains. Whilst some people seek acupuncture treatments in the UK to deal with particular health conditions, other people undergo frequent procedures in an effort to maintain good health.

Patients of all ages, even babies and toddlers can receive acupuncture therapies and the discipline is most often used to treat complaints like migraine headaches, stress, arthritis, back pain, postoperative pain and sleeping problems. The most respected acupuncturists will usually be members of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), therefore when you're trying to find an acupuncture therapist in the UK, make sure they're signed up with this reputable organisation.

Acupuncture - An Overview: The traditional Chinese treatment method called acupuncture, where thin needles are inserted into the person's skin for therapeutic results, has been practiced for 1000's of years. A professional and skilled acupuncturist might help minimize symptoms in connection with migraine headaches, osteoarthritis and lower back pain to mention only three of the commonest issues. A pseudoscience and alternative treatment that's used across the world, acupuncture is a leading component of traditional Chinese medicine as well as things like gua sha, bonesetter (die-da), exercise (qigong), dietary therapy, cupping therapy, massage (tui na) and herbal medicine.

Practiced for more than 3,000 years, acupuncture was developed as a procedure for opening up the energy channels to free the circulation of life force (Qi), to assist with pain relief. Focused on the stimulation of the nerve endings which are positioned just under the surface of the skin, modern medical acupuncture treatment increases the discharge of endorphins (produced by the central nervous system) to ease pain and discomfort throughout the entire body. Whatever option you choose, the beneficial results of acupuncture have been analyzed and confirmed for a variety of medical maladies. If you are affected by any of the stress related issues like anxiety, depression and panic attacks, you may find that acupuncture can help you to overcome them.

The majority of professional acupuncturists in the UK will need you to attend a consultation, which should take place before your first session of treatment. You will be asked one or two basic questions regarding your personal lifestyle. Guage you and your affliction, and working out a treatment plan that will be suitable for your exact requirements, is the objective of this preliminary appointment. At times, it isn't uncommon for 2 individuals with almost comparable symptoms to receive 2 completely different treatment options. Thus you may perhaps know of somebody else in UK with very similar symptoms to you who have undergone another kind of acupuncture treatment.

When the treatment begins, tiny needles will be inserted into the body's meridian lines that are relevant for the person's conditions. Such insertion areas are sometimes in locations that you wouldn't automatically associate with the problem being treated. For example, a needle might be placed into a meridian point on a patient's hand to relieve a migraine headache. Lots of the most regularly targeted treatment spots are located on the lower limbs and legs, making it a smart idea to wear loosish fitting clothing to enable comfortable access to those locations.

Going through an acupuncture procedure can quite often make you feel drowsy and exhausted. Driving a vehicle straight after treatment is therefore not a good idea. It's crucial for you to let your body recuperate in a natural way, allowing it enough time to relax before carrying on with your day. Considering that this feeling of drowsiness can often continue for a few hours, work plans can be impacted, so make allowances for this beforehand.

Incorporated within the "acupuncture" group are many different kinds of treatment, some that have their own particular applications and others which are standalone therapies. A handful of these are available in the UK area, for others you'll have to travel elsewhere. Some of the most common of the related techniques are sonopuncture, cosmetic acupuncture, Japanese acupuncture, trigger point acupuncture, tuina, bee venom acupuncture, Tui Na massage, dry-needling acupuncture, cupping, fire needling, Chinese acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, auricular acupuncture and acupressure.

Dry Needling Treatments UK

An alternative therapy treatment that is frequently employed by acupuncturists and physical therapists in the UK, dry needling (or myofascial trigger point dry needling) has developed into a popular style of procedure. Seen by many as the Western variation of acupuncture, dry needling uses an approach that's often termed intramuscular stimulation (IMS). Many therapists in the UK who practice it however, would say that it's more about having an understanding of basic anatomy and the musculoskeletal system . Trigger points will be found by the therapist as the procedure is carried out, to pinpoint the parts of the body that are afflicted by muscle pain, soft tissue injuries and persistent spasms. The dry needling system is focused on problems with bodily imbalance, muscular injury and posture. (Tags: Dry Needling Treatments UK, Dry Needle Therapy UK, Dry Needling UK)

Does Acupuncture Really Work?

Now another regular question that is often asked is "does acupuncture really work?", well I believe that there's no definitive answer to that question given that it is somewhat subjective. Some patients might say "acupuncture doesn't work" as it did not work for their condition, while other patients will declare "acupuncture is wonderful and transformed my life", as it plainly had positive results on their complaint. Such disparities could obviously apply to many medical procedures and in particular to the alternative medicines, where there's always serious doubt about the authenticity and veracity of such treatments.

Credibility

There have been numerous trials and studies that have tried to prove or disprove the validity of acupuncture as a treatment for pain and the findings of these trials have been mainly inconclusive. In the eyes of most medical experts acupuncture is pure "quackery" with no place within conventional medicine and no real scientific basis for why it can be of any help to patients suffering from pain. The "placebo" effect is what others reckon is responsible, thinking that when there has been a favourable outcome it is down to the fact that the patient assumed that it would succeed, so it did. Hence, the "cure" was purely psychological and not medical. Trials have also been carried out in an attempt to get around the "placebo effect", with one group of people given mock acupuncture and the other given the real thing. While results have been confused, most seem to lean towards the "placebo effect" being the most feasible.

To conclude, as with many choices in life, you will only find out if you try. So, if you have a condition that has been tormenting you for ages, and conventional medication or treatment been unable to deal with the problem, you could think about trying acupuncture to find out whether that can help you. Should you feel a bit of relief, no matter how minor, even if it is purely attributable to the "placebo effect", then it can be viewed as successful.

Moxibustion UK

The burning or dried mugwort (artemisia vulgaris) to stimulate and warm acupoints (energy points) on particular areas of the body, is known as moxa therapy (or moxibustion), it is typically used in combination with tui na and acupuncture. For different conditions the moxa can be applied using various techniques, such as attaching it to the tip of an acupuncture needle, in the form of a cone which is placed on a shielding medium directly onto the body and as a moxa stick - a cigar shaped object that is lit at one end. Moxibustion (moxa therapy) is used to promote healing, stimulate the circulation and heat up the body. Moxa therapy is often used for digestive problems, infertility, weakness, arthritis and the relief of pain. Moxibustion Breech - Pregnant women with breech babies sometimes seek moxibustion treatments to rectify this.

Popularity

Though acupuncture is nowadays being more acknowledged as a useful treatment, it's still perceived by the medical profession as a whole to be within the alternative medicines, one of the most favoured, however still "alternative". It's estimated that members of the British Acupuncture Council undertake roughly two million acupuncture treatments annually and there are a consistently increasing number of dedicated people qualifying to be acupuncture practitioners throughout the UK. Acupuncture is currently widely accepted as a valuable therapy for a number of diverse illnesses and ailments and the stigma that was once attached to it has largely disappeared.

Acupuncture Meridians and Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture Needles UK - Acupuncture Points

There are more than four hundred acupuncture points located within physical body, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), most of which are located on the meridians or pathways which transport the body's chi (life energy). While there are around 20 or so meridians in all, for the purpose of this brief post there are twelve primary meridians used in acupuncture and acupressure which are associated with the internal organs of the body, these are the spleen, the bladder, the small intestine, the lung, the stomach, the pericardium, the liver, the large intestine, the heart, the kidney, the gallbladder, the triple energizer, the other pathways are referred to as "extraordinary" meridians. Each individual one of these acupuncture points are identified by the meridian on which they're located and their identifying numbers tally with the point order upon that specific channel. There are some weird names which are affiliated with these acupuncture points and the following eleven - Middle Palace, Lesser Shang, Clasping the White, Fish Border, Palace of Heaven, Broken Sequence, Cubit Marsh, Channel Gutter, Supreme Abyss, Maximum Opening, Cloud Gate - are the ones for the lung, they've got the numbers LU-1 to LU-12.

Cupping Therapy UK

Cupping therapy is a method that creates a local suction on the skin by placing a heated cup over areas of the skin. It is mostly practiced in Asia but is also commonplace in Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Despite its widespread use, some medical professionals argue that cupping therapy is simply pseudoscience and quackery.

Cupping therapy involves placing a warm-to-hot cup over certain areas of skin to create a suction effect that aids in the circulation of blood and lymph. The therapist heats the cup using alcohol, herbs and paper. This causes the skin to rise and the blood vessels to expand. The procedure normally lasts between 5 and 10 minutes. It is commonly used on the back, but can also be used on the legs, abdomen and buttocks.

Cupping therapy is a form of alternative medicine that is commonly used to treat muscle pain. However, it can also be beneficial for anybody experiencing muscle tension. Using bamboo, plastic or glass cups, a cupping practitioner will place one or more of these cups onto your skin. This creates a vacuum effect that is said to increase blood circulation and reduce muscle tension..

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Acupuncture doesn't generally hurt to any significant degree however acupuncture needles put in the extremities (fingers and toes) might give a sharp prick. A slight tingling or pulsating sensation may be experienced when the acupuncture needle is inserted and then maybe a dull ache round the base of the needle once it's penetrated the skin of the client. In actual fact the needles used are incredibly thin being something like one tenth the thickness of a hypodermic needle (the type used for administering injections), they range from around 0.12mm to 0.35mm in thickness. When push comes to shove the acupuncture experience is completely different for every patient, and what's true for one may not be germane for another, but in most cases .... no, acupuncture shouldn't hurt.

Acupuncture Enquiries UK

Recent UK acupuncture enquiries we have received: Sultan Corcoran from Porthcawl, UK wants an acupuncturist who will treat gout. Kaylan Evans from Inverness needs an acupuncturist who is able to treat sciatica. Tommie Maynard in Truro wants an acupuncturist who is able to treat anxiety. Myla Mcmillan from Inverness needs a specialist who can treat snoring with acupuncture therapy. Ronny Tyrer from Dartford, UK needs someone to use acupuncture therapy to treat back pain. Lucas Norman in Maidstone would like to find an acupuncturist who will treat arthritis. Maddox Luke from Kings Lynn would like to find an acupuncturist who will treat infertility. Evelina Watts from Bedford, UK wants an acupuncturist who is able to treat gout.

Help and Guidance

To join the world of alternative therapies, acupuncture and acupressure visit an acupuncture forum. Topics of discussion include things like acupressure, acupuncture and alternative medicine. Find out more about about clinical practice, how acupuncture is practiced around the world, conceptual basis, acupuncture needles, safety issues, conditions it can help with and the history of acupuncture, you can head over to Wikipedia and search for "Acupuncture". To learn about acupuncture on social media check this out. Visit the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) website to uncover accredited UK acupuncturists.

As with most things nowadays, there are an array of interesting YouTube videos offering tips about acupuncture, so if you are interested in seeing acupuncturists in action check out this.

Related Treatments

Your local UK acupuncturist will help with: gua sha, cosmetic acupuncture treatments in the UK, acupuncture for acne, acupuncture for weight loss in the UK, acupuncture for back pain, ear acupuncture treatments, acupuncture for hot flushes in the UK, cranial acupuncture therapy in the UK, acupuncture for epilepsy in the UK, infertility acupuncture treatments, acupuncture for insomnia, japanese acupuncture therapy in the UK, laser acupuncture treatments in the UK, acupuncture for neck pain, acupuncture for joint pain, acupuncture for headaches in the UK, acupuncture for vertigo, acupuncture for tennis elbow, facial acupuncture treatments, moxa in the UK, anxiety acupuncture treatments, acupuncture for sleep, oriental acupuncture therapy in the UK, cupping, needling and other acupuncture related services.