| Past,
Present and Future
Acupuncture-like techniques have been
used for over 5,000 years. A comprehensive system was developed
in the Far East and this was first introduced into Europe
in the 17th Century. However, widespread interest in the technique
did not develop until the political events of the early 1970's
allowed travel restrictions between East and West to be eased.
In the past thirty years, because of the
huge public interest in the subject, considerable scientific
research on acupuncture has been carried out - although much
remains to be done. We now know much more about how acupuncture
works and some of the myths can be laid to rest. It is demonstrably
untrue to say that the results of acupuncture are all in the
mind.
As we learn more about it, the possibilities
of using acupuncture alongside Osteopathy and orthodox medicine
increase. The distinction between complementary or alternative
medicine and conventional medicine is becoming blurred as
acupuncture is accepted in medicine. Acupuncture is now available
in most hospital pain clinics and it is provided by an ever-increasing
number of Osteopaths and Medical doctors.
What is Acupuncture
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.
Acupuncture is a treatment that 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.
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Acupuncture does
much more than reduce pain. It has a beneficial effect on
health. Patients often notice an improved sense of well-being
after treatment.
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.
Each patient's case will be assessed and
treatment will be tailored to the individual; so it is impossible
to give more than a general idea of what treatment might involve.
Typically, fine needles are inserted through the skin and
left in position briefly, sometimes with manual 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.
Conditions that respond
well to Acupuncture
- Musculoskeletal pain, for
example back, shoulder, neck and leg pain, including frozen
shoulder and tennis elbow
- Headaches and migraines, trapped
nerves, chronic muscle strains, joint sprains and various
kinds of arthritic and rheumatic pain
- Functional bowel problems such as
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Allergies such as hay fever and allergic
rhinitis
- Sinus problems and chronic catarrh.
Dry mouth and eyes
This list is by no means exhaustive, but
it does give a rough idea of the wide range of conditions
that respond to acupuncture treatment. |