Acupuncture: What is it?
Acupuncture is perhaps the most famous aspect of Traditional Eastern Medicine, and it forms an important part of our treatment methodology at A Pinch of Prevention near St Lucia. 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.
People have been using acupuncture for many years. Its first documented applications were found over 2000 years back.Acupuncture can be used to manage a wide range of diseases. It is a well-respected and well-researched body of treatment. There are thousands of scientific papers published in well-known journals about this kind of medical treatment.
How does acupuncture treatment work?
Acupuncture is an intriguing combination of art and science and despite the endless work of the brainiest and greatest minds in modern research working on it, a comprehensive explanation in Western Terms as to exactly how it works is still, infuriatingly and gloriously, unavailable.
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. These points were manipulated to allow the energy to flow more easily and bring a new lease on life to the area or affected systems. This encourages the area to recover and return to its normal state.
A Pinch of Prevention offers acupuncture services to Wishart, Mansfield, Holland Park, Carindale, Robertson and surrounding areas.
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Who is able to 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 – part of 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. In some cases, acupuncture can be included as a complementary approach with physiotherapy for St Lucia residents. Our team at A Pinch of Prevention uses Acupuncture for St Lucia residents as an evidence-based form of treatment for acute and chronic pain, musculoskeletal injuries or sports injuries.
What is the Acupuncture Evidence Project?
The Acupuncture Evidence Project is a review of the data that backs up the information regarding acupuncture, and it was published in 2017.
What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
| Acupuncturist – Chinese Medicine | Dry Needling |
| Minimum 4 Year Bachelor Degree | 48-72-Hour Course |
| Chinese Medicine Board Australian (CMBA) Registered practitioners | Minimum competence standards are observed as registration is not required. |
| A Holistic practise – This includes treating the affected area as well as the larger system that governs it. Based on a system that is over 2000 years old. | Treats the affected area only, in a deliberately painful manner, to force the muscle to release… By beating it into submission. |
| Mandatory continuing professional education for registration | No continuing professional development required. |
| Strict infection control standards | Unknown standards |
| Acupuncture professionals need to have mandatory professional indemnity insurance. | Some practitioners may not be covered for acupuncture or dry needling |