Acupuncture
Acupuncture draws on your body’s innate capacity to heal itself. Acupuncture uses the meridian system to guide energy to areas of imbalance, allowing change to take place. Your practitioner will identify areas of weakness or stuckness in your body and target them in order to restore balance to your system. For more about the meridian system see musculoskeletal pain.
What to expect with acupuncture
A typical treatment involves inserting 6 to 12 very fine needles at strategic points on the body, and resting quietly with the needles in place for about 15 to 20 minutes.
The lower arms and legs, belly and back are common places to receive acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a deeply relaxing experience for most people. You may even fall asleep.
We find that everyone experiences acupuncture differently. Our patients have a variety of reactions to acupuncture, ranging from being unable to feel anything to finding it intense. It is common to feel tingling, warmth, a deep heavy feeling or little electric sensations. Acupuncture that is practised by a skillful practitioner rarely feels sharp or ‘needley’.
On the day of your appointment
To get the most out of your acupuncture appointment:
Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment
Avoid fasting if possible
Try not to overeat, drink alcohol or do strenuous exercise on the day of your appointment
After your appointment drink plenty of pure, warm water to flush away any toxins released during the session
Allow some time to rest afterwards while your body adjusts
The surface of the body is energetically open after a treatment and can be vulnerable to environmental influences like wind and cold, so please keep your back and neck covered and avoid swimming and showering for the rest of the day.
How many sessions will I need?
Our clients often ask us how many appointments they will need. Because we are all so different the answer is usually “it depends”. Sometimes clients experience immediate relief after one session, while others will notice gradual change over time, coming weekly or fortnightly for acupuncture and taking Chinese herbs. Some people come in intermittently for help with colds, flu and infections.
The human body is incredibly complex and we find that navigating a journey towards better health is somewhat like peeling an onion. Our bodies tell the story of our lives and some layers can take a while to unravel.
At your initial consultation we will take a detailed history, make a preliminary diagnosis and talk to you in more detail about a personalised treatment plan. For more information, talk to your practitioner.
An ancient practice
According to ancient Chinese understanding, the body is enervated by a web of energetic pathways called meridians. Free flow of energy through these meridians is vital for health and wellbeing, while blocked energy causes imbalance and illness.
The meridian system was discovered at a time when people lived in closer contact with the earth. Life was less hectic and people understood nature and their place within it. In fact, they depended on nature not only for food and shelter, but also for pleasure and a sense of belonging. Without the constant distractions we face today, such as TV and smartphones, people learnt to tune in to the way energy moved within their bodies, and the way their energy interacted with the environment and the seasons.
In this way, the meridian system was discovered through awareness. Energy, or Qi as we call it, is something we feel, not something we can currently measure.