There are two ways to explain what acupuncture is - the first uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and the other explains it with the western school of thought using biomedical functions. Traditional acupuncture works by presenting it through the channel theory: qi energy travelling in pathways called meridians throughout the body. Qi is often mistranslated as ‘vital force’, which isn’t the right translation, as acupuncture is not an energy healing therapy. A better interpretation of what the ancient Chinese meant would be oxygen in the vessels, as qi means air or breath. The basic foundations of acupuncture and TCM is that a lack of qi and blood not reaching a certain area of the body leads to ailments and pain.

Sometimes, due to certain lifestyles and environmental reasons, the flow of qi can become disrupted or even blocked, resulting in pain and illness symptoms. In some cases, traditional acupuncture can be great therapy in restoring balance and promoting emotional and physical harmony. At its simplest, acupuncture is the practice of inserting extremely fine, sterile needles into acupuncture points. Acupuncturists believe that stimulating the qi in the meridians signals the body’s immune system and enables it to resolve the condition.

How does it work?

Despite some excellent research being done to answer how acupuncture works precisely, there are no clear and straightforward answers at this time. This is mainly because acupuncture has many therapeutic effects on the body, so its action depends on the pathology involved. Pain and pain relief is the area in which the most research was done, so most of the theories regarding acupuncture have to do with pain relief issues.

The most popular of all modern scientific explanations on the subject is that inserting needles in acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release pain-relieving substances. Nerve fibres travel from the acupuncture points to the spinal cord, and from there, they move on to the brainstem and the hypothalamus-pituitary gland. The stimulation of these areas in the brain and the spinal cord ends up releasing neurotransmitters, such as endorphins, causing inhibition in the nerve pain fibres. Animal studies showed that acupuncture might alter the release of various hormones and neurotransmitters. These affect the parts of the central nervous system relating to sensation and involuntary functions, such as blood pressure, immune reactions, blood flow and body temperature.

Where did it originate from?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine system that dates back over 2000 years. Since then, different opinions, theories and techniques have developed various styles apart from the conventional style of TCM diagnosis and treatment. The traditional Chinese style is the father of acupuncture, a source from which all other types of acupuncture have branched out ever since. That includes the Japanese style, Korean hand technique, Five Elements, French auricular (ear acupuncture) and more.

What can it help with?

In western medicine, acupuncture is almost entirely identified as a treatment for pain management. Though this is true, many people turn to acupuncture to relieve particular pains, like osteoarthritis and more. More and more people realise that the uses of acupuncture can explore treating the whole person, rather than specific symptoms such as pains and ailments. Traditional acupuncture may help if you have a particular type of symptom or condition but also if you feel general unwellness with no obvious diagnosis. It can be used if you want to maintain good health, as a preventative measure or if you're going to improve your general sense of wellbeing.

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Differentiating between the treatment of dry needling and acupuncture is often difficult if you are only looking at the two in a picture. Both dry needling and acupuncture utilise very thin needles, which an expert inserts into specific points of the body to treat various conditions and symptoms, like pain. 

But that is pretty much where the similarities end. There are unique qualities to each treatment, which help differentiate it from the other. In this guide, we will have a closer look at the two and figure out what their major differences are. Acupuncture has been around for many years and has found its uses as an alternative treatment to many conditions, while dry needling has been adopted somewhat recently. Acupuncture relieves pain, discomfort and other issues by restoring an individual’s energy flow, while the other stimulates trigger points and irritable muscles. Knowing such differences is good since you can better make an informed decision of which practice is best for you. 

What is dry needling? 

This is a modern treatment, developed to aid with muscular pain. During the usual treatment, a practitioner inserts filiform needles into specific points of your skin. These are very fine needles, which don’t inject any fluid into the body – hence the term ‘dry’. These needles go into trigger points in tissue or muscle. That is why the treatment is often also called intramuscular stimulation. When the needles are inserted, they help relieve muscle pain and potentially any spasms that you may be having. 

A form of dry needling is the in-and-out technique, which means needles don’t remain in the skin for long. The needles just prick the trigger points and are then removed from the area. Another way to utilise dry needling is to treat the central nervous system, as part of a non-trigger point treatment. Instead of directly inserting needles in the area of pain, the practitioner does so around it. 

Physical and sports therapists often resort to dry needling. The treatment option provides relief for muscular stiffness and pain. Because working on the trigger points improves flexibility and the range of motion, the method works for many sports injuries and even fibromyalgia pain. 

The side effects are mostly mild to none. There might be some bruising around the injection, and temporary soreness, which should be quick to dissipate. 

What is acupuncture? 

Acupuncture originated in Asia a long time ago. Currently, it is licenced acupuncturists who practice it. At its core, acupuncture leads from the belief that any illness results from interruption of the life energy chi inside every person. Through acupuncture, practitioners aim to return the energy balance of the body and restore natural flow. 

It can treat many conditions, like nausea, pain, headache, allergies and menstrual cramps. Some have even used it as a treatment for infertility and addiction. 

For pain, in particular, acupuncture has been found to provide good results for knee pain and low back pain. It can greatly reduce neck pain, as well as help with migraines and headaches. According to research, the effect is pretty much the same as using medication for pain. The World Health Organisation has recognised acupuncture for treating many conditions, not just physically-related ones. 

When the treatment is performed by a trained specialist, there is very little risk of any side effects. Occasionally, there may be bruising and pain at the injection site, but these symptoms don’t last very long. 

When it comes to acupuncture vs dry needling, there is a large portion of personal preference that must be taken into consideration. There is more research on acupuncture and its benefits, since dry needling is a rather new one, although both can be helpful. 

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Pregnant women have many therapies they can choose from, sometimes to the point where they can be overwhelmed with options. Aside from all this, they can do various tests, to ensure their good health and that of their baby. Well, there is one kind of treatment, which introduces nothing but relaxation and it involves acupuncture. 

Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment, centred around the concept of Qi energy. This is the essence, which contributes to good health and wellbeing in people. When the flow of this energy becomes obstructed, various unpleasant conditions and illnesses may follow. One of the ways to remedy the situation lies with acupuncture. It works on the points of the body, where the Qi energy is concentrated and restores its balance and flow to all of the vital organs. It can be quite beneficial, including pregnant women. There are a few important points to consider in this regard: 

• How does treatment help pregnant women? – acupuncture is all about balancing the hormone levels of the body. To pregnant women, this is particularly important. During their first trimester, they can experience symptoms like nausea, fatigue and heartburn, which are quite common during that time. At a later stage, acupuncture can help with other symptoms of pregnancy – constipation, aches, swelling, etc. Experts believe that acupuncture is ideal for pregnant women in their third trimester. That is when it aids the body in getting ready for labour. Some acupuncture points the experts work on to allow for better relaxation and achieving hormonal balance. 
  
  
• Is acupuncture safe? – this is an important question for every pregnant woman. Unlike many of the medications that women use, this kind of treatment comes with no negative side effects. It is geared towards helping the person achieve a sense of relaxation and calmness. Some women report feeling a little tired after a session, but that is a symptom that only lasts a very short period. To a lot of people, the idea of getting poked with acupuncture needles is scary. The truth is, the needles used in acupuncture are hair-thin. They don’t cause pain, but at most a slight tingling sensation. Inserting them in the skin doesn’t hurt, nor do they cause any damage. Some women with more sensitive skin report slight bruising, but it fades away quickly and should not be a problem. Acupuncture is one of the safest possible treatments that pregnant women can get. 
  
  
• The benefits of acupuncture – according to researchers, pregnant women who underwent acupuncture had better chances of spontaneous labour around their due date and less chance for induction. Thanks to acupuncture, there is less need for other medical interventions, like C-section, epidural, forceps, etc. Also, for women that had regular acupuncture treatments, birth was much easier. 
  
  
• What does acupuncture do? – the main idea behind acupuncture for pregnant women in preparation for labour. It helps the vital organs by nourishing them and increases the person’s overall tonus. Performing acupuncture on specific points leads to softening the uterine ligaments and improving blood flow. In turn, this improves the chance of the baby going out in the right position, all the while softening the area around the cervix. It also promotes contractions in the uterine muscles. 
  
  

For pregnant women, to make the most of acupuncture, it means contacting the right expert for it. The acupuncturist must have experience with this sort of client. Pre-birth acupuncture is a fantastic treatment, especially when it is done right. 

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If you are one of the people who doesn’t like spring and summer, it has likely to do with hay fever symptoms. As wildflowers, trees and grasses bloom in the warm weather, allergy sufferers tend to become more alert. 

Inhalant allergies are more common than you think. They sell trouble for people that cannot handle the pollen, triggering allergic rhinitis, or the way that experts call it – hay fever. If you are suffering from such allergy, you may have noticed that the symptoms are worse on windy and dry days. However, you should know that there are ways to make things easier, following in the tips below: 

• Consider acupuncture – one unlikely way to combat the symptoms of hay fever is acupuncture. Those with pollen allergies find that a session of acupuncture often eases the symptoms. Acupuncture is a treatment that revolves around tiny needles being inserted into specific acupuncture points. Some of these points work to release the pressure on the immune system, which is at the root of hay fever. It has no negative side effects, making it a convenient tool in the battle against this dreaded condition. If you want the best results, it is a good idea to consult with an acupuncturist who has some experience treating people with hay fever. Discover more about acupuncture for hay fever in London.

• Turn on the AC and keep your windows open – on a more practical note, you should try to limit the amount of pollen that makes it into your home by closing the window. Forget about using fans – they simply stir up the particles and blow them up in the air. Instead, rely on your air conditioning, including the one in your car, to circulate air. 

• Employ some air filters – don’t forget to clean the air conditioning vents regularly, as these tend to capture a good deal of dust particles. Employ some HEPA filters to better the air quality in your home. 

• A dehumidifier can also help – dehumidifiers are good against mould and mildew, especially if you place them in an area that is prone to such. Don’t forget to clean them regularly, especially their air-drying devices. Before you store your clothes, air them out. 
• Maybe a walk in the forest is not the place to be – while it is most certainly sad that you cannot enjoy nature at a time it is most beautiful, perhaps it is for the best stay away from wooded areas. The pollen levels there are greater, which can exacerbate allergy symptoms. You should try to enjoy nature from a safe distance. 

• Stay indoors on hot, windy days – the pollen counts in the air increase exponentially when the wind is the forecast. After all, these are light particles, which can easily be carried around on windy days. Consult the forecast and keep yourself at home on such days. 
  
  
• Consider a face mask – this may feel a little awkward, but it is a great way to keep yourself safe from pollen. Sometimes even a simple painter’s mask can do the trick. 

• Take a shower after coming home – to wash off the accumulated pollen, you should take a quick shower. It is an effective way to reduce the particles on yourself. 

Evidently, there is much you can do against hay fever symptoms. Always consider safe treatment options like acupuncture, which tend to provide some relief. Consult with your doctor on what treatment or acupuncturist they can recommend and go for it. 

© The Acupuncturist Ltd 

Acupuncture is a fantastic treatment, which is gaining more and more popularity in recent days. That is because it works so well against a variety of illnesses and conditions that would otherwise require serious treatment. It turns out this Traditional Chinese Medicine practice provides the perfect remedy for stress without any side effects. 

It should come as no surprise then that experts are now recommending acupuncture for children. The treatment can work for young ones with various conditions: headaches, inflammation and anxiety. But even though you understand the benefits, your child may only see the risks. When you consider the fact that acupuncture features needles, it is easy to know why young ones may not be exactly thrilled by the idea. If you wish to go easy on them, you can follow certain tips, outlined in this article: 

1. Explain the process to them

If your child is old enough to understand, you should explain the process of acupuncture to them. There is no point in bringing them to the acupuncturist without them knowing a thing about acupuncture. They will likely be scared, and you will have a difficult time calming them down. Do your best to explain the process of acupuncture first, and don’t forget to describe how it is going to help them with their problem. The acupuncturist can do this as well, especially if they have experience working with children. 

2. Introduce them to the acupuncturist

A lot of children feel scared by doctors because they associate their visits there with something unpleasant. While acupuncture is a medical treatment, it is not exactly a typical one. You should do your best to introduce your child to the acupuncturist and have them discuss the problems and how the treatment is going to work. Some acupuncturists specialise in work with children, so there will be no problem for them to explain the process in a simple, even interesting, manner to your child so that there is no anxiety. 

3. Address the needle issue

There is hardly any child that feels at ease when it comes to needles. They associate the word with pain and unpleasant medical procedures, such as shots. However, there is a huge difference between the needles used for shots and the needles used in acupuncture. The latter are super thin and bend to the touch. There is hardly any pain that they cause. Make sure to explain this to your child and show them. Literally, show them what a needle looks like by asking the acupuncturist to insert one. 

4. Refer to needling as tapping

There is certain painful connotation to the word ‘needling.’ To ease your child, you should refer to the process as ‘tapping.’ That is one of the universal tips that acupuncturists use when it comes to working with children. Normally, the acupuncturist will do a series of gentle taps before they insert the needle. This process relaxes the child and removes the fear of needles. 

5. Don’t be too pushy, if your child doesn’t want to try it

You can insist too much on this matter. Do your best to explain what acupuncture is all about, but if your child remains apprehensive, don’t be too pushy. Talk with your acupuncturist and discuss if there are any other options available, which will hopefully not cause as much turmoil. 

As you can see, there are a few things you can do to prepare your child for acupuncture, and ensure they get the most of the treatment. 

© The Acupuncturist Ltd