Acupuncture Hervey Bay

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a component of the traditional Chinese health care system. This healthcare practice can be traced back thousands of years. Acupuncture stems down from a general theory based on the premise that patterns of energy flow known as “Qi” exists through the body believed to be essential for good health. The Chinese believe that it is the disruption of this flow that are responsible for diseases. It involves the stimulation of specific points of the body (usually by the insertion of thin needles through the skin).

Acupuncture was rarely used to treat identifiable pathophysiological health conditions in America and in the western world until President Richard M. Nixon visited China in 1972. There has been wide publicity and general acceptance in the use of acupuncture techniques in Europe and America. Even techniques of acupuncture are now well applied to western medicine.

Acupuncture is beyond the insertion of needles, it is a family of procedures involving the stimulation of different anatomical points in or on the skin by the different array of techniques. American acupuncture has developed different ways of approaching the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions by incorporating the traditional acupuncture practices from Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and other countries alike. The most used and thoroughly studied way for stimulating acupuncture points involves the penetration of the skin by solid, metallic (stainless steel) fine but very thin needles. These needles are often manipulated either by electrical stimulation or manually.

A more general or broader definition of acupuncture thus includes the different techniques used in stimulating acupoints by using

Is Acupuncture effective?

In January 2017 a Comparative Literature Review, called the Acupuncture Evidence Project,  was published on the evidence for acupuncture. The review found that 117 conditions responded positively to acupuncture treatment. Of the 117 conditions, 8 were found to have strong evidence of positive effect. These conditions include migraine prophylaxis, headache, chronic low back pain, allergic rhinitis, knee osteoarthritis, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, post-operative nausea and vomiting and postoperative pain. They categorised the remaining conditions into potential positive and unclear. Thirty-Eight conditions were potential positive and 71 conditions were unclear.

From these findings, we can say that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of certain conditions. As the research continues at the quality it is being produced recently, we are hopeful that we’ll be able to make claims for its ability to treat more conditions.

Acupuncture Effects on Local Area

When a needle is inserted into the skin and muscle, the body responds with the increase in blood flow to the region. Along with the increased blood flow comes an array of immune cells such as mast cells and platelets. It also increases histamine, serotonin, substance P, acetylocholine, ?-aminobutyric acid,  somatostatin, nitric oxide, adenosine, bradykinin, prostaglandins, cytokines and more. These products have an effect on the nerves and tissue in the area.

Acupuncture’s Effect on the Brain

Depending on the nerves stimulated, acupuncture can stimulate the dorsum horn of the spinal chord which then stimulates a reflex signal. This can affect the organs that are connected to the corresponding nerve as well as travel the spinal chord to impact the brain. There has been a lot of research around acupuncture’s effect on the brain. One of the most important functions is how it influences the hypothalamus. The stimulation of the hypothalamus regulates nitric oxide synthase. This regulation has been shown to balance the nitric oxide, a molecule that is used in nearly every process in the body. Too much or not enough nitric oxide can negatively impact the body.

Acupuncture’s effect on the midbrain and ventrolateral periaqueductal grey (vlPAG), has been shown to regulate blood pressure. It’s effect on the prefrontal cortex and reducing sympathetic response (fight or flight) has the, in my opinion, one of the most significant effects for people living in modern society. This reduction in stress and increase in parasympathetic response (relaxing) can alleviate pain and put the body into a mode that heals ailments.

Acupuncture’s Effect at a Cellular Level

Although the above information is interesting, it doesn’t really explain the effectiveness of acupuncture on so many conditions. An interesting theory which now has research behind it is acupuncture’s impact on receptors within cells. In the 1970’s Geoffrey Burnstock discovered a set of neurotransmitters called purines. Geoffrey discovered how these neurotransmitters worked and were essential in neurotransmission. This signalling pathway is called purinergic signalling.

In 2009 Geoffrey stated that purinergic signalling is the reason behind acupuncture’s effectiveness. In recent studies where mice were bred without these receptors, it was shown that they didn’t receive the benefits of pain relief from acupuncture compared to the mice with receptors.

Two more studies involving mice as well as humans came out recently which further strengthened this theory. Purinergic signalling may be a big part of the puzzle of how acupuncture works. The fact that pharmaceutical companies are trying to develop ways to control these pathways indicate the researchers may be onto something here.

The Explanation of Acupuncture in Clinic at Hervey Bay

When asked how does acupuncture work in the clinic I’ll often answer with how acupuncture stimulates the brain to release pain-relieving hormones and its ability to increase blood flow. This is often enough explanation when a needle in the hand can instantly relieve migraine or low back pain.

Most people want a logical reason to visit an acupuncturist, I know I did. I went in as a skeptic wondering how a little needle into my skin could fix anything. Anyway, it worked immediately for pain and I felt amazing afterwards. This is what led me on the journey to learning Chinese Medicine.

Within the Chinese Medicine system you’ll find a lot of philosophy which the skeptics use to debunk the system as unscientific. However, this philosophy developed as a way to explain and replicate the results the Chinese were getting with acupuncture. This is also the reason acupuncture continues to spread around the world due to its success rate and word of mouth referral.

If you’re wondering about Acupuncture then I suggest that you try it for yourself with a properly trained Chinese Medicine Acupuncturist.

Acupuncture For Pain Relief

Acupuncture is well-known for its ability to alleviate various types of pain, including chronic pain conditions like back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, migraines, and headaches. It is believed to work by stimulating the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers, and by modulating pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord.

Acupuncture for Stress Reduction

Acupuncture is thought to promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety levels. Some studies suggest that it may influence the release of neurotransmitters and hormones associated with stress regulation.

Acupuncture for Improved Sleep

Many individuals report better sleep quality and improved insomnia symptoms after acupuncture treatments. The calming effects of acupuncture may contribute to its ability to aid in sleep.

Acupuncture for Enhanced well-being and mood

Acupuncture is believed to promote overall well-being and improve mood by influencing the body’s energy flow (Qi) and promoting balance within the body.

Acupuncture for Digestive Health

Acupuncture has been used to help with digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and nausea. It may help regulate gastrointestinal motility and reduce inflammation.

Acupuncture for Immune System Support

Some studies suggest that acupuncture may have a positive impact on the immune system by promoting the production of immune cells and enhancing their activity.

Acupuncture for Fertility and Reproductive Heath

Acupuncture has been used as a complementary therapy for couples dealing with fertility issues. It may help improve reproductive function and hormone balance.

Acupuncture for Management of chemotherapy side effects

In cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, acupuncture has been investigated as a way to manage treatment-related side effects such as nausea and vomiting.