Acupuncture service: What to expect in a treatment
Acupuncture has proven effectiveness for an array of medical problems. There are positive clinical trials for a variety of conditions ranging from chronic or acute pain to women’s health.
It also complements conventional medical treatments such as chemotherapy, post-chemo immune repair, and IVF. There is ample evidence to suggest it can alleviate the symptoms of certain chronic diseases with regular treatment. Adam is particularly experienced in reducing the symptoms of headaches, musculoskeletal pain, woman's health including menopause and GIT complaints by combining acupuncture with other therapies such as cupping, moxibustion, TCM Herbals and massage. Our goal is to help you achieve optimal health and well-being.
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What is Acupuncture?
It is the manipulation of one’s Qi (energy), blood and fluids through specific points and meridians, to stimulate one’s own immunity to resolve disease. Acupuncturists understand that each organ is interconnected with other specific organs, systems and channels. Therefore, if one area of the body is diseased it will impact on another. This produces a more holistic approach to our medicine.
This system of medicine has been refined for over 4000 years and is now used widely in most western countries. Acupuncture is widely tested internationally in clinical trials and studies to further understand how it resolves disease. There are many doctors who are well read on this subject, and have embraced its effectiveness with particular conditions, such as musculoskeletal pain & trauma, infertility, stroke rehabilitation and mood disorders, and an adjunct to Cancer treatments, to name a few.
Does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine has been in existence for more than 4000 years and has a profound written history for more than 2300 years. If it did not work it would not have endured success for so long.
Acupuncture double blind clinical trials and studies have been ongoing in the West since the 1970’s with mixed results depending on the trial design, the hypothesises proposed, who financed the study and many more factors. In general, there is a vast resource of positive Date for acupuncture benefiting pain reduction, blood pressure reduction, stress reduction and many more related ailments.
From June 2012 Acupuncture in Australia became regulated, which will prevent people without proven experience, a bachelor in acupuncture or who are not members of a reputable Association, from practicing.
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Adam holds a bachelor's degree in Acupuncture and Nutritional Medicine with 15 years of experience.
Adam is now working at an IV clinic in Coffs Harbour.
Does it hurt?
Registered Acupuncturists train for 5 years full time, and use pins that are .22 of a mm thick or less, at varied locations to elicit a Qi response.
This feeling may be an ache, warmth, movement or radiating sensation. Most people don’t really feel anything at all. It should not be sharp and painful if it is correctly placed on the body.
We also use a popper which is a neurological desensitization technique to eliminate any negative responses. The key to receiving acupuncture is to relax the muscles, close the eyes and breathe deeply while they are being inserted.
Acupuncture is considered safe under a licenced practitioner; however, some people may experience minor side effects during or after the treatment.
Clammy skin, nausea, bruising, blood pressure drops and dizziness are rare but occasionally occur. These mild symptoms usually only last a few hours or minutes. Serious events would be a pneumothorax or organ puncture, which usually only occurs under unlicensed practitioners.
Generally acupuncture induces a relaxed state, with the reduction of negative symptoms that the patient presented for. Adam has never had a serious event occur through malpractice.
How many treatments will I need?
On the initial assessment Adam will estimate the number of treatments needed, based on how serious the problem is, age, and lifestyle changes required.
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In China one would be treated every day or every second day. As acupuncture is not free in Australia, duration would be once or twice per week. Some conditions can’t be resolved, only managed, thus a long-term treatment plan would be written after the first 3 sessions.
Are needles reused?
In Australia they are never reused, by law. Each needle comes out of a sterile packet and disposed of after a single use in a sharp’s container.
Can I use Acupuncture in conjunction with conventional medicine?
Absolutely. Adam spent 2.5 years working from a busy medical practice in Coffs harbour where doctors would refer their patients to him once they were educated on the benefits and risks. Contraindications and cautions with medication are generally known by the acupuncture practitioner, but it is encouraged to discuss with your doctor that you are interested in trying acupuncture, and keep them informed. If you have concerns i would be happy to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have.
Are there other ways to treat if one has a needle phobia?
Yes, Adam has a large tool belt of other options such as moxibustion, cupping, massage, Emmett Technique, herbal medicine and much more. Japanese needles are also an option as they are ultra-thin and would be inserted no deeper than 1 mm.