How Can Acupuncture Help Me?
Ada Sobies explains...
Acupuncture, an holistic approach to health, is part of the ancient system of Chinese medicine founded over 2,000 years ago. Since its beginning the art and science of acupuncture has been developed and refined into the therapy practised today.
The tradition of Chinese medicine is concerned not only with the treatment of illness but also with the maintenance of health and prevention of disease. Acupuncture treatment is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang and ‘ qi ’. The theory of acupuncture aims to understand and treat the many ways in which the fundamental balance and harmony between yin and yang may be undermined and the ways in which a person's qi or vitality may be depleted or blocked. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy - known as qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin.
The patient's health and vitality may be affected by many factors, including physical, mental and emotional. These could include things like poor nutrition, stress, infections or hereditary factors. The skill of an acupuncturist lies in their ability to make a diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony. The exact pattern and degree of imbalance is unique to each individual and so the acupuncturist puts together a personalised treatment plan.
Although sometimes described merely as a means of pain relief, traditional acupuncture is actually used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses. Its focus is on improving the overall well-being of the patient, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms.
There is a large body of scientific data from animal and human studies that seeks to explain the mechanisms of acupuncture. Current reviews have shown that acupuncture promotes the production of 'endorphins' that relieve pain, improves the immune system, regulates blood flow and hormones, is anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic, and improves your overall feeling of wellbeing.
An acupuncture treatment consists of the (relatively painless) insertion of fine sterile single-use needles into a few carefully selected points on the body. The number of needles used varies from two or three to ten or more, and they are left in place for an average of twenty minutes. The total number of treatments required depends on the patient and the condition being treated.
Acupuncture treats conditions such as: Tennis elbow, headache, frozen shoulder and rotator cuff syndrome and many other pain related conditions being a great adjunct to massage therapy.
Ada can determine whether a acupuncture or massage or a combination of both is right for you.
Non ACC:
Acupuncture $95 for one hour initial consultation, follow up appointments $80 for 45 minutes
Acupuncture/Massage combination $95 for one hour (minimum time)
ACC: (GP, physio referral)
Acupuncture $45 for one hour initial consultation; follow up $40 for 45 minutes
Acupuncture/Tuina Massage combination $45 for one hour (minimum time)
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