Over the next few weeks I will be posting a Blog about Acupuncture on behalf of Sarah who does Acupuncture on Wednesdays in Canary Wharf. All your questions answered.
Question 1 – What’s involved in an acupuncture treatment?
The headings below illustrate the variety of treatment techniques that you may experience during your treatment. Dependent upon your acupuncture treatment, some of these techniques will be implemented as a means to benefit your health and wellbeing.
Needling
Needling is the bedrock of any acupuncture treatment. I use very fine, sterile needles to activate acupuncture points which are located along meridian channels throughout the body. In general, my technique is very gentle and I try to use as fewer needles as possible. As a basic understanding the needles either act to boost the body’s energy or to calm it down, dependent upon the condition being treated and the patients’ underlying energetic profile. All needles are discarded into the sharps box once the treatment is completed
Intra dermal needling
Intra dermal needles used during facial acupuncture. They are extremely fine, much finer than my usual needles and much shorter than the normal needles I use. For facial acupuncture they are used on deep wrinkles and lines.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a type of heat therapy that is a part of Chinese medicine and linked to acupuncture. It uses the herb known as mugwort and dependent upon its purpose can be either rolled like a cigar, used as a loose herb, mixed with carbon to become smokeless or made into pellets that can stick to the skin. It is usually heated on or near acupuncture points or painful sore areas that when lit produces a consistent heat that patients may find soothing and relaxing.
There are several methods of moxibustion but I predominantly use Rice grain
This is a Japanese technique in which small rice grain sized moxa is placed at specific acupuncture points or sites on the body. They are then lit and extinguished before causing pain, occasionally a slight sting may be felt. Rice grain moxibustion is often used in Chronic or long-term treatments in which people may be exhausted. It can also be used for correcting during pregnancy, relaxing tight muscle and most Gynaecological problems.
Other techniques include: Heat Perception Moxa / Warm Needle Moxa / Moxa Sticks – these will be discussed in tomorrow’s blog
Cupping
Cup shaped instruments are placed on the skin and the air pressure within them is reduced using a heat method. The cups are sometimes left in position for a few minutes or they are moved around on the surface of the skin to give a massage effect. Cupping is generally used to relieve stress and sooth aches and pains.
Gua Sha
Gua sha is an ancient form of folk medicine that is traditionally used to treat pain. It involves using a fish shaped spatula to deeply massage the flesh. It is thought to help move blood and body fluid to detoxify muscles and promote healing.
Acupressure
Acupressure massage is used in situations where needling is not appropriate. Instead of needling the acupuncture point it is massaged until a gentle aching sensation is felt.