Acupuncture
Heal Your Body Naturally with Acupuncture in Adelaide
Acupuncture is a method of therapy that places an emphasis on reducing and relieving pain, improving function and promoting the natural healing processes of the body. The approach is completely safe and highly effective, and is commonly used as an alternative to surgery, medication and other forms of treatment at our clinic in Adelaide.
The treatment itself uses extremely fine needles that are inserted through the skin and into muscle tissue at key areas of the body. There is no injection involved in the process and it causes only minor discomfort. Traditionally, acupuncture was used to both diagnose and treat various pains and illnesses by attempting to find a balance between blood and energy.
Today, technology has advanced to the point where there are multiple forms of the treatment available. For example, electro-acupuncture which sends mild electrical pulses through the needle to stimulate the tissue, while transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applies electrical pulses through rubber electrodes or dampened cotton-tipped pads.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises acupuncture as an effective treatment for the following conditions*:
- Tennis elbow
- Osteoarthritis
- Bursitis
- Fibromyalgia and fasciitis
- Sprain
- Stress
- Sciatica
- Depression
- Headaches
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Induction of labour
- Knee pain
- Morning sickness
- Ligament and tendon damage
- Postoperative pain
- Joint stiffness and pain
- TMJ dysfunction
- Stroke
- Female infertility/IVF support
- Muscle tightness and spasm
- Insomnia
- Neck and back pain
- Weight control
*WHO 2013, ‘Diseases and disorders that can be treated with acupuncture’, [Accessed http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/5.html]
Frequently Asked Questions
The principle behind acupuncture is the creation of endorphins, a naturally occurring chemical that the body produces to reduce aches and pains. With a process that is similar to that of morphine, endorphins help block pain signals from the brain by connecting with opiate receptor sites — this results in pain reduction, relaxation and biochemical restoration of regulatory systems within the body.
These benefits of endorphins, which are created through acupunctural stimulation, help the body heal naturally while minimising inflammation and increasing general physical and mental wellbeing.
The number of required treatments is highly dependent on the circumstances, including the condition and the individual themselves. Some acute issues may only need one treatment, while others may require a handful of sessions.
For conditions that are more complex or longstanding, you may achieve the most effective results after multiple weekly sessions over several weeks. Depending on your individual case, relief can be experienced any time from within a few hours to two or three days after the session. When you visit our clinic for acupuncture in Adelaide, our experts will help guide you towards what is best to treat your condition.
Level of discomfort varies from person to person, but the majority of people experience no pain whatsoever. Some may feel minor discomfort, but this is mostly insignificant given that the needles are as thin as a human hair.
Acupuncture is a completely natural, drug-free and safe treatment with no negative side effects. Chance of infection is also greatly reduced, as all needles are sterilised and then disposed of after use. When you come in for acupuncture at our Adelaide clinic, you can rest easy knowing you are in safe hands.
Wherever a needle has been inserted into your body, you may feel slight tingling, numbness, dull aches or heaviness. Some people have described the “Qi sensation”, where a pulse of energy fans out from the entry point of the needle. Feeling any of these sensations is an indication that the treatment is working properly, and you may feel high energy levels or a strong sense of calm spread throughout your body after the treatment.