Acupuncture

 

What is Acupuncture

How acupuncture works

What happens during the treatment?

Will it hurt?

Treatment

What should I do after a treatment?

When can I expect an improvement?

Conditions treated with acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine

ABOUT NZRA

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of medicine which has been used in China for the last 3000 years. Its' effectiveness is now accepted in various countries including New Zealand.

Acupuncture aims at treating the person, along with the disease. This means that the acupuncturist looks at the patient as a whole, finds the cause of the illness and the imbalance in the body causing it. With its unique system of diagnosis, an acupuncturist will ask not only details of the immediate problem, but also take a precise history of past illnesses, familial tendencies, and aim to determine a complete picture of the patients health. In this way acupuncture has always been used as a preventative medicine and can bring positive benefits to almost any illness. [ back to top ]

 

 

How acupuncture works

Rigorous scientific research has confirmed that acupuncture promotes the production of natural healing substances to relieve pain and relax muscles. It helps to regulate nerve transmission, enhance the immune system, regulate hormones and blood flow, and release natural anti-inflammatory substances. Acupuncture also elevates mood.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) describes pathways of energy flowing through the body, carrying nourishment and information to all tissues and organs. Disease occurs when some factor disrupts the normal flow of life force. The role of the acupuncturist is to restore the normal flow of life forces and re-establish health. [ back to top ]

 

What happens during the treatment?

Treatment by acupuncture consists of the insertion of fine needles into a few carefully selected points on the body. The number of needles used varies from two or three to ten or more, and they are left in place for an average of twenty minutes. The total number of treatments required depends on the patient and the condition being treated.

 

A typical treatment might include moxibustion (warming of the acupuncture needles), acupressure, Chinese herbal medicine and dietary advice and/or Chinese remedial exercise.

There is no age limit for treatment. It is important to advise the practitioner if you are pregnant but pregnancy does not preclude acupuncture or its benefits. Babies and children may be treated with acupressure in lieu of the use of needles.

 

Needle sterilization practiced by registered acupuncturists complies with standards set by the 'New Zealand Department of Health. Please inform your practitioner if there is any possibility that you are pregnant, have a history diabetes, heart disease, hemophilia, epilepsy, seizures, hepatitis, HIV, skin diseases or other medical conditions. [ back to top ]

 

 

Will it hurt?

Most new patients are amazed how painless acupuncture can be. However, when the correct stimulus of the needle has been obtained the patient may feel some heaviness, distention, tingling or electric sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected energy pathway or meridian. [ back to top ]

 

 

Treatment

Treatment by acupuncture consists of the insertion of fine needles into a few carefully selected points on the body. The number of needles used varies from two or three to ten or more and they are left in place for an average of twenty minutes. The total number of treatments required depends on the patient and condition being treated.

 

A typical treatment may include oxibustion (warming of the acupuncture needles), acupressure, Chinese herbal medicine and dietary advice and/or Chinese remedial excersize.

 

There is no age limit for treatment. It is important to advise your practitioner if you are pregnant but pregnancy does not preclude acupuncture or its benefits. babies and children may be treated with acupuncture in lieu of the use of needles.

 

Needle sterilization practiced by registered acupuncturists complies with standards set by the New Zealand Department of Health.

 

Please inform your practitioner if you are pregnant, have a history of HIV or Hepatitis or other medical conditions.

 

 

What should I do after a treatment?

Acupuncture changes the state of energy of the body, affecting nerves and blood vessels as well as the tone within the muscles. It is best to avoid heavy physical activity following a treatment. Avoidance of alcohol is also recommended. [ back to top ]

 

When can I expect an improvement?

Occasionally you may notice a brief worsening of the symptoms prior to an improvement. More commonly there is relief from the first or second treatment and this is consolidated with progressive treatments. [ back to top ]

 

 

Conditions treated with acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine

• The world health organisation recognise's that acupuncture is effective for over 40 diseases and syndromes. Documentation proves its effectiveness in treating the following conditions:
  

• Musculo-skeletal: low back pain, tennis elbow, knee strain, neck/shoulder pain, sciatica, arthritis, joint swelling/pain, thoracic pain, muscle strain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury, wrist strain, sacroiliac pain, sports injuries.
  

• Respiratory: sinusitis, hay fever, common cold, bronchitis, asthma, cough, painful respiration, pleurisy and emphysema.
  

• Ear, nose and throat: tinnitus, nerve deafness, Ménière's disease, eye problems, sinusitis, nose bleed and loss of smell
  

• Gastrointestinal: constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, gastritis, haemorrhoids. Hyperacidity, nausea, spastic colon
  

• Cardiovascular: angina, palpitations, cold extremities, high and low blood pressure
  

• Women's health: painful periods, premenstrual syndrome, excessive menstrual bleeding, irregular menstruation, fertility disorders, menopausal syndrome.
  

• Pregnancy: morning sickness, foetal malposition, insufficient lactation, pregnancy tune-up, assistance with deliveries.
  

• Men’s health: prostrate problems, erectile dysfunction, lack of sperm and impotence.
  

• Uro-genital disorders: bed wetting, retention of urine, cystitis, and infection of the urinary tract.
  

• Paediatric health: whooping cough, bed wetting.
  

• Skin disorders: acne, eczema, psoriasis and painful scars.
  

• Neurological: headaches, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, shingles, Ménière's disease, tinnitus, ear pain, Bell's palsy, hemiplegia, post-stroke syndrome, general neuralgias and numbness.
  

• Metabolic disorders: low energy, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, hormonal irregularities.
  

• Psychological disorders: post-traumatic stress, anxiety, smoking/drug addiction, depression and nervous tension.
  

• Miscellaneous: obesity, sports performance/enhancement.
  [ back to top ]

 

New Zealand Register Of Acupuncturists - Your assurance of quality standards

NZRA practitioners are required to meet entry requirements and complete continuing education programme's in order to receive their Annual Practicing Certificates.

NZRA members are bound to a high standard of ethical and professional conduct through adherence to association Rules, Code of Ethics, Clinical Policy and Procedures, Skin Piercing Guidelines.

All members adhere to industry standards developed by NZRA. NZRA has consulted extensively with Accident Compensation Corporation and follows the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO). [ back to top ] for more info please visit: http://acupuncture.org.nz/

 

 

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