|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About acupuncture
The Chinese medical approach involves a totally different way of looking at the body – and the emphasis is on balancing and harmonising the flow of ‘qi’ in the 'meridians' to optimise health and well being.
Does acupuncture work?
The World Health Organisation states that acupuncture may be a useful adjunct therapy in more than 50 health conditions - including chronic stress whilst NICE guidelines recommend acupuncture for treating back pain. Whatever your problem it is worth considering acupuncture - you can feel reassured by the fact that this treatment has a 2500 year history of development and it is widely accepted - by a quarter of the world's population. Research has shown that most patients who come to use acupuncture in the UK have already tried conventional medicine for the same condition (Thomas and Coleman 2004). We welcome such patients - especially skeptics! You do not have to 'believe' in acupuncture for it to be effective.
People who receive acupuncture say it makes them feel more calm, relaxed and energised - which has got to be a good thing if you are stressed, anxious or depressed. It also has a long history of being used to prevent illness. In fact there is now molecular proof that acupuncture can help with stress reduction and can offer protective benefits against it (Eshkevari et al, 2011). It is important to remember that acupuncture is a holistic treatment with a 'whole body 'effect', and this is why patients receiving it often talk about experiencing a greater sense of well being.
Finally, the fact that acupuncture can be used as an anaesthetic during a surgical procedure offers fairly convincing evidence that something is happening to help the person cope with pain - and if it is down to a 'placebo effect' it is a pretty powerful one.
Are there different types of treatment?
In a word - yes. This therapy has been developing for several millenia all across East Asia and there are many different approaches and methods. In general the Japanese methods use more gentle needling procedures and finer needles. In one Japanese style - Toyohari, the needles do not actually pierce the skin at all, making this a painless and very relaxing therapy - and possibly of interest to people who would like to try acupuncture but are worried about needles. Moxa (a herb that is used to warm acupuncture points) may also be used along with needles. Gateway to Acupuncture is unique because of the wide range of acupuncture treatments on offer within a multibed setting - there are many different styles of acupuncture practice -and at Gateway you may receive 'TCM'; '5 Elements', and Japanese methods including the Toyohari style treatment. Gateway practitioners are registered with the British Acupuncture Council and the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
We hope you decide to give us the opportunity to try and help you get your health on track.
Please call 01904 788411 to book an appointment
Sylvia Schroer reading the pulse |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|