An introduction to Acupuncture
Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world and has been practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy - known as qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin. The flow of qi can be disturbed by many factors, physical, mental and emotional: anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help to restore its natural balance.
Today acupuncture is widely practiced, and there has been a steady increase in the number of professionally trained acupuncturists in the UK, from just a handful of qualified practitioners in the 1970s to over 2,800 registered with the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) in 2007.
Although sometimes described merely as a means of pain relief, traditional acupuncture is actually used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses. Its focus is on improving the overall wellbeing of the patient, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms. The skill of an acupuncturist lies in their ability to make a traditional diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony. The exact pattern and degree of disharmony is unique to each individual and so following diagnosis, the acupuncturist puts together a personalised treatment plan.
Finding a Qualified Practitioner
It is important that you find a fully trained and qualified acupuncturist. There are two organisations that hold a list of registered acupuncturists – British Acupuncture Council and British Medical Acupuncture Society. Their members are regulated healthcare professionals who practise acupuncture within the scope of their professional practice.
As well as checking that they are registered with a professional body and have appropriate insurance cover, you may find that your personal rapport with the practitioner is important. It is helpful to find a practitioner with whom you feel comfortable, who understands what you want from treatment, and who can explain clearly what they expect acupuncture treatment might do for you.
What to Expect
Your first visit will last longer as the practitioner needs to assess your general state of health and will just consist of the practitioner asking all about your health condition, lifestyle and behaviour. This should then provide them with enough information to select the most appropriate treatment.
It is helpful to wear loose, comfortable clothing for your treatment and you should be aware that your acupuncturist may need access to points on your body as well as on your arms and legs. Don’t have a large meal within an hour of your appointment as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse. You should also avoid alcohol and food or drinks which colour your tongue, such as coffee, immediately prior to treatment.
Practitioners should use a new set of disposable needles taken from a sealed package for each patient and should swab treatment sites with alcohol or another disinfectant before inserting needles.
Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to the needles used in injections and blood tests. They are much finer and solid, not hollow. When a needle is inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache. Needles may be inserted and immediately removed, or may be left in place for thirty minutes or more depending on the effect required. Many people experience heaviness in the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation during treatment. The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, as well as better appetite and sleep and an enhanced sense of overall wellbeing.
The number of treatments necessary varies between patients. Most people have a course of treatment and usually notice changes after four to six sessions. Your practitioner will review your progress with you, and carefully monitor your treatment to ensure that it matches your needs.
If you are receiving treatment from your doctor then it is sensible to mention that you plan to have acupuncture.
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