what is acupuncture
about acupuncture
balance, holistically and naturally
It aims to restore health through balance, holistically and naturally. Health is a state of optimal balance where the systems are working as they should. Symptoms, such as pain or insomnia, are alerts to an imbalance.
Acupuncture originated in China over thousands of years ago and is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Today acupuncture involves the insertion of ultra-fine sterilised single-use needles into acupuncture points, carefully selected for your health condition. In the Netherlands, acupuncture is widely practised.
how does acupuncture work?
HEaling from the root
Treatments are focused on the root of the imbalance and not just the symptoms or disease.
Acupuncture is increasingly being researched and shown to help a great variety of conditions. Traditional Chinese medicine theory states that disease disrupts the normal flow of Qi (often known as energy) and blood through the body.
Acupuncture works by restoring the harmonious flow of Qi and blood which results in the body healing itself in the long-term and achieving a balance.
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture can treat a wide range of conditions. The most common are:
- Reduction of pain (acute or chronic)
- Improves digestion & regularity
- Boosts energy & stamina
- Regulates metabolism
- Reduces cravings
- Improves emotional well-being
- Reduction of stress & increased tolerance of stressful events
- Better quality sleep & feeling more rested
- Balances hormones: treats many women’s health issues
- Healthier immune system, e.g. fewer colds & flu symptoms
List of conditions where acupuncture can help:
Pain Management
- Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness
- Localized traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendonitis, contractures
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Work and sports related injuries
- Lower back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Frozen shoulder, tennis elbow
- Sciatica
- Acute conjunctivitis
- Toothaches, post extraction pain
- Acute and chronic pharyngitis
Digestive
- Spasms of esophagus and cardia
- Irritable bowel and colitis
- Hiccups
- Gastroptosis
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Gastric hyperacidity
- Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
- Acute duodenal ulcer (without complications)
- Acute and chronic colitis
- Constipation
Respiratory
- Acute sinusitis
- Acute rhinitis
- Common cold
- Acute tonsillitis
- Acute bronchitis
- Bronchial asthma
Psychological
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Somatization disorder
- Hypersomnia
- Insomnia
Women's Health
- Infertility
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Dysmenorrhea
- Menopause syndrome
- Benign irregular menstruation
- Benign amenorrhea
Please note that as everyone’s body is different, some may respond faster or positively than others.
In addition to the above benefits, many patients experience other subtle improvements, including sensations of well-being that permeate all aspects of their lives, as well as feeling more connected to their bodies and minds. Below are further examples and explanation:
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Research has shown that acupuncture has positive outcomes for common conditions, such as pain and headaches.
Can acupuncture treat migraines and headaches?
Chronic migraines and tension-type headaches all respond very well to acupuncture, and in a matter of weeks the frequency, intensity and duration of your headaches could be significantly reduced.
Can acupuncture help with back pain?
Back pain, arthritis, frozen-shoulder, hip, and knee pain are just a few examples where acupuncture excel in treating. All these conditions have been extensively researched, and in many countries including the USA, acupuncture is recommended for back pain.
It should be made clear that Chinese medicine by itself is never used to treat cancer.
Can acupuncture help with breast cancer?
Breast cancer seems to be becoming more common, but thankfully it is well treated by conventional medicine. Acupuncture can help in reducing the side effects from radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy such as hot flushes and night sweats, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and reducing or eliminating joint pains.
Can acupuncture help with prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is also well treated by conventional medicine but for many men taking hormone therapy can leave them with hot flushes and a low libido. Acupuncture can help to reduce the side effects.
Getting pregnant and maintaining a pregnancy can be one of life’s most stressful times. It is generally believed that getting pregnant after the age of 35 becomes increasingly difficult.
Using acupuncture to help support IVF and fertility?
If you’ve been trying to conceive naturally or are about to embark on an assisted-fertility program such as IVF, acupuncture can be employed in treating fertility issues for both men and women.