Acupuncture
Acupuncture in London: what is acupunture?
Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine, that involves inserting very thin needles through a person’s skin at specific points on the body, to various depths for therapeutic or preventative purposes.
How does acupuncture work to relieve pain?
Western medical acupuncture is the use of acupuncture following a medical diagnosis and involves stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles.
This results in the body producing natural substances, such as pain-relieving endorphins. It’s likely that these naturally released substances are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced acupuncture.
A course of acupuncture usually creates longer-lasting pain relief than when a single treatment is used.
Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in channels called meridians. This life force is known as Qi (pronounced “chee”).
Qi is said to flow through meridians, or pathways, in the human body.
These meridians and energy flows are accessible through 350 acupuncture points in the body.
Inserting microneedles into these points with appropriate combinations is said to bring the energy flow back into proper balance.
Uses of acupuncture
Acupuncture practitioners – sometimes called acupuncturists – use acupuncture to treat a wide range of health conditions.
Acupuncture can be used to treat:
- chronic tension-type headaches
- migraines
- chronic pain, such as neck pain and low back pain
- osteoarthritis
- joint pain
- dental pain
- postoperative pain
In pregnancy it can be used to treat morning sickness or help to turn babies that are in a breech position.
There is no statutory regulation of acupuncture in England.
If you choose to have acupuncture, it is recommended that you check that the acupuncture practitioner is either a regulated healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist or a member of a national acupuncture organisation.
Our therapist is registered with the Health & Care Professions Council.
Sinsook Park
BSc Hons. Dip Ac. Dip OHM
Acupuncture for Fertility
Research indicates that couples who are supported with acupuncture for fertility are significantly more likely to fall pregnant naturally or conceive successfully following an IVF cycle.
Acupuncture helps to regulate hormones environment. This increases the blood flow to the reproductive organs optimising the environment where the follicles develop and improving the quality of the endometrial lining thus increasing the chances of embryo implantation.
Although the proven success of acupuncture for fertility, many patients feel that it is the that their treatment provides,support and relaxatio nmore than pregnancy rate increase, which is their reason for using acupuncture.
Benefits of acupuncture:
Acupuncture can be beneficial in that:
- Performed correctly, it is safe.
- There are very few side effects.
- It can be effectively combined with other treatments.
- It can control some types of pain.
- It can help patients for whom pain medications are not suitable.
In 2003, the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed a number of conditions in which they say acupuncture has been proven effective.
These include:
- high and low blood pressure
- chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- some gastric conditions, including peptic ulcer
- painful periods
- dysentery
- allergic rhinitis
- facial pain
- morning sicknessr
- heumatoid arthritis
- sprains
- tennis elbow
- sciatica
- dental pain
- reducing the risk of stroke
- inducing labor
Other conditions for which the WHO say that acupuncture may help but more evidence is needed include:
- ibromyalgia
- neuralgia
- post-operative convalescence
- substance, tobacco and alcohol dependences
- pine pain
- stiff neck
- vascular dementia
- whooping cough, or pertussis
- Tourette syndrome
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We offer the range of healthcare packages to support you with all your healthcare needs.
Our Acupuncturist at The Women’s Wellness Centre offers a range of treatments from pain relief to fertility treatments. If you wish to know more about whether Acupuncture can be helpful to you please contact us on 020 7751 4488 or book an appointment here.
Prices for Acupuncture: from £75 (45 minutes). At-home sessions also available.
