Acupuncture: What is it?
Acupuncture is the most prominent aspect of Traditional Eastern Medicine. This treatment is currently offered at A Pinch of Prevention near New Farm. Peter completed 4 years of education in this ancient tradition and now utilises it in his treatment approach. Acupuncture, unlike dry needling, involves the gentle application of fine needles to specific areas of the body. This is done to bring positive change to the system or area being treated.
Humans have used acupuncture for millenia. The first documented cases of its use were reported 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.
Acupuncture: How does it 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.
From a Traditional Eastern perspective, the body and its diseases were very elegantly described as an imbalance or blockage in the continuous flow of energy that circumnavigates our corporeal body. 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 energy to circulate again, giving a new lease of life to the affected area. It also encouraged the system or area to heal and regain normal function.
Residents in Wishart, Carindale, Holland Park, Mansfield, Robertson and surrounding areas are included in the places we offer our acupuncture services.
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Who can benefit 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
Acupuncture: How does it affect your physiotherapy treatment?
A Pinch Of Prevention performs an extensive assessment to determine the suitability of the patient for this treatment. The course of needling may be accompanied by a flexible program and hands-on treatment as necessary. Acupuncture is sometimes used in conjunction with physiotherapy for New Farm residents to support an individualised approach to care. Our team at A Pinch Of Prevention uses Acupuncture for New Farm residents in it’s 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. It reviews pieces of data that supports acupuncture’s efficacy.
What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
| Acupuncturist – Chinese Medicine | Dry Needling |
| Minimum 4 Year Bachelor Degree | Course takes 48 to 72 hours |
| Chinese Medicine Board Australian (CMBA) Registered practitioners | Minimum competence standards are observed as registration is not required. |
| Practises Holistically – Treats the area affected as well as the wider system that governs that area. Based on a 2000 year old system. | The only treatment is to the area in question and it works by beating the muscle into submission. |
| Mandatory continuing professional education for registration | No continuing professional development required. |
| Very strict infection control standards | Unknown standards |
| It is required to have professional indemnity insurance for acupuncture. | Acupuncture or dry needling treatments may not be covered by some practitioners. |