Acupuncture: What is it?
Acupuncture may be the most popular aspect of Traditional Eastern Medicine. This method is being practised here at A Pinch of Prevention Peter spent 4 years studying this ancient tradition and has been able to use it with great success in his treatments.Unlike dry needling, the discipline of Acupuncture involves the gentle application of very fine needles into specific areas, or ‘point locations’ on the body, to bring about positive change to the area or system being treated.
Acupuncture has been used by humans for millenia, and the first documented cases of its applications have been noted over 2000 years ago.Acupuncture is one of the many medical treatment options for managing a variety of disease conditions. This modality is highly recognised and well researched.
How does acupuncture treatment work?
Acupuncture is a brilliant combination of science and art. However, despite all the work of the most amazing minds in modern research on the subject, there is still no comprehensive explanation in Western Terms about how it works.
Traditional Eastern perspectives view the body and diseases as an obstruction or imbalance in the flow of energy. Acupuncture was utilised as a gentle method to mechanically clear or stimulate these sluggish points of activity. This done by locating precisely the points on the body where the energy flowed closest to the surface. Manipulation of these points allowed the energy to move more easily again, bringing a new lease of life back to the area or affected system, thus encouraging the diseased area or system to recover and regain its normal function.
A Pinch of Prevention offers acupuncture to residents throughout our service areas including Wishart, Mansfield, Holland Park, Robertson and Carindale and more.
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Who can benefit most from acupuncture?
In clinical trials, acupuncture has shown to ease the condition of patients with the following illnesses:
- Pain-acute and chronic
- Low-back pain
- Sciatica
- Neck pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Knee pain
- Muscle and Tendon Sprains & Strains
- Tennis Elbow
- Golfer’s Elbow
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Headaches & Migraines
- Facial Pain
- Allergic rhinitis
- High and low blood pressure
- Stroke
- Painful periods
- Premenstrual Tension/Syndrome
- Fertility Issues affecting both Men & Women
- Insomnia
- Peri-menopausal symptoms—e.g. hot flushes
- Fibromyalgia
- Bell’s Palsy
- Neuralgia
- Post-operative convalescence
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Constipation
- Asthma
Is Acupuncture part of your physiotherapy treatment?
The Pinch of Prevention conducts a thorough evaluation to determine if the patient is suitable for the treatment. A course of needling is sometimes complemented by a flexibility program, as well as hands-on treatment, as required. It has become more popular to combine Acupuncture with the physiotherapy treatment. Our team at A Pinch Of Prevention uses Acupuncture in its evidence-based treatment of acute and chronic pain, sports injuries, and musculoskeletal injuries.
What is the Acupuncture Evidence Project?
The Acupuncture Evidence Project was published in 2017 and reviews all evidence to support acupuncture.
What is the distinction between acupuncture & dry needling?
| Acupuncturist – Chinese Medicine | Dry Needling |
| Minimum 4 Year Bachelor Degree | 48 -72 hour course |
| Chinese Medicine Board Australian (CMBA) Registered practitioners | There is no registration required. Therefore, minimum eligibility standards can or may not apply. |
| A Holistic practise – This includes treating the affected area as well as the larger system that governs it. Based on a system over 2000 years old. | The only treatment is to the area in question and it works by beating the muscle into submission. |
| Required continuing professional development for registration | No continuing professional development required. |
| Strict infection control standards | Unknown standards |
| Professional indemnity insurance for acupuncture is mandatory | Some practitioners may not be covered for acupuncture or dry needling |