How does Acupuncture work?
The practice of Acupuncture is ancient, dating back as far as 1000 BC. It has been used for centuries as a multi-system treatment method for an array of conditions, ranging from back pain, to sinusitis, to infertility and everything in between. The method of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is based upon a system of meridians, or channels which are believed to transmit ‘Qi’ or energy throughout the body. When pain or pathology develops, it is considered that this Qi has become stagnant, polluted or factors such as Heat, Cold or Wind have entered the channel, causing imbalances and disruption of the energy flow. By stimulating the channels at the various Acupuncture points along the meridians, the flow of Qi may be rebalanced, and its normal flow restored. This is where Acupuncture needling comes in to play.
Over the years, many clinical research studies have been undertaken investigating how Acupuncture works. At Enliven Health we use a ‘Westernised’ approach to Acupuncture, in conjunction with your Physiotherapeutic treatment, in order to address any musculoskeletal problems that you may have. It may used to treat acute, inflammatory conditions to stimulate healing, in chronic or long-lasting conditions such as low back pain, and soft tissue-related conditions such as muscle spasm. The actual physiology behind the effects of Acupuncture in the treatment of these conditions is very complex, however for your information it has been summarised below.