Acupuncture for health and wellness
Acupuncture has been in use as a therapeutic modality for thousands of years. The earliest known records detailing the use of acupuncture were unearthed in burial tombs at Mawangdui, Changsha, China. Here, two Silk Scrolls related to the acupuncture meridian circulation and its pathologic symptoms were found.
It is thought that acupuncture developed from massage therapy. Practitioners began to use stones to press areas of the body in order to increase the therapeutic effect. These developed over time, into needles, in order to stimulate areas deeper under the skin.
How can acupuncture improve health?
Acupuncture can be beneficial for a wide variety of conditions, both physical and emotional.
As a type of 'bodywork', it can be very effective for any type of pain. Currently, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends 10 sessions of acupuncture for chronic pain (see their guidance here). We see all types of pain conditions in our clinic, from fibromyalgia to sports injuries, and regularly treat lower back pain, sciatica, tennis elbow and all other muscular-skeletal issues.
NICE also recommends acupuncture for the treatment of headaches. Acupuncture can be effective in treating all types of headaches, from acute to chronic, tension to migraine.
Acupuncture is also great for mental and emotional wellbeing - people are often surpised at how calm and relaxed they feel after an acupuncture session. People can describe acupuncture treatments as 'pushing the reset button' on their emotions and enabling them to become more grounded and focused.
Other conditions that we regularly see in clinic include digestive issues, menstrual problems, allergies, hayfever, fatigue, and insomnia.
Contact us if you'd like a chat to discuss if acupuncture can help you.