Chinese Acupuncture
Acupuncture needles are very different to the hypodermic needles used in Western Medicine, they are not hollow nor do they slice through the skin and muscle. Instead, they have a conical shaped tip, parting the skin and muscle as the needle glides into the acupuncture point. This means that there is little to no discomfort when the needle is inserted. When Qi is drawn to the needle the patient can often feel a dull ache, though this may feel a bit uncomfortable, it doesn’t last long and indicates that the point is active. When the needle is withdrawn, due to its design, the skin then seals up behind it. Acupuncture needles are single-use, sterile and are all TGA certified. They are made from stainless steel which allows them to be incredibly fine (only 0.13mm-0.25mm thick) but also flexible and strong so they can even be tied in a knot and won’t break. Acupuncture works on rebalancing the Qi flow within your body and the meridians. By inserting needles into specific points on the body we can either remove blockages, or help redirect Qi to where its needed to restore balance to the body, to help reduce your symptoms. From a Western Medical perspective, it is believed to work on parts of the nervous system, which can then influence everything from reducing inflammation, to helping re-balance hormones. From either perspective the end result is the same, an attempt to return to equilibrium. There are many different styles of Acupuncture taught. I use a combination of a few styles, depending on what symptoms I am treating and which I feel will work best for that particular patient. Sometimes there will be needles around the local affected area, other times they will only be far away, or only one one side etc. It’s all about how best to restore balance to the body.
Cupping
A vacuum is used to create suction which allows the cups to stick to the skin. Traditionally fire was used, but in modern times we can use pump action cups or silicone cups. The goal is to invigorate Qi and Blood flow in the channels and muscle tissue to relieve pain and improve Qi flow. Often dark spots can appear under the cups, which can look like bruises, but are just deoxygenated blood being drawn out of the muscle tissue. This then comes to the surface which the body then breaks down. From a Chinese Medicine perspective this is veiwed as 'removing blood stagnation' and 'invigorating Qi and Blood flow'.
