In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is believed that you have different channels or meridians that naturally connect the whole body together. Along these different channels flow your Qi (which is your energy) and your blood. At specific points along the meridians, your Qi and blood converges, the position where your Qi and blood converges are what are called acupuncture points. If your Qi and blood can’t flow smoothly and abundantly through these different channels, then symptoms and signs will develop and different diseases will develop.  

In Traditional Chinese medicine it is believed that by using micro fine needles (Acupuncture needles) to tap directly into these specific points where your Qi and blood converges, you can actually change how your Qi and blood flows through the channel not only to reconnect your body back together again, but also to make sure that your body can communicate and function correctly by itself.

Acupuncture may be effective in the treatment of a wide range of common and not so common health conditions. It can also assist with general health maintenance and disease prevention.

Some conditions that acupuncture may be effective in treating are listed below:

• Chronic pain/pain management: headaches, migraines, frozen shoulder, fibromyalgia, arthritis, jaw and tooth pains, neuropathy
• Musculoskeletal injuries: muscular pains and cramps, sporting injuries, work injuries, shoulder pain, back and neck pain, tendonitis
• Emotional conditions: stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia
• Ear, nose & throat disorders: sinusitis, chronic cough, mouth ulcers,  common colds, vertigo
• Energy disorders: low energy, chronic fatigue syndrome, poor concentration
• GI disorders: nausea, vomiting, IBS, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal disorders, gastric/duodenal ulcer, chronic ulcerative colitis
• Gynaecological problems: painful menstruation, irregular periods, PMS, menopause
• Pregnancy and labour: infertility, morning sickness, induction of labour
• Cardiovascular disorders: primary hypotension, high blood pressure, poor circulation
• Others: allergies, hayfever, asthma, poor immune system, dizziness, skin disorders, weight loss….to name a few.

Electro acupuncture is a type of acupuncture where the needles are connected to a machine that sends a small amount of electricity through the needle to stimulate the muscles and surrounding tissues.

Electro acupuncture is often used for neuromuscular conditions and is fantastic at not only assisting patients with pain, but also conditions such as digestive issues, oedema and weight loss.

Upon your first visit, the practitioner will record basic medical history. Once the diagnosis is complete, the practitioner will discuss the treatment and answer any of your questions. The practitioner may incorporate other techniques such and cupping or massage during this time depending on whether it is necessary. At the end of the treatment the practitioner will discuss ongoing care where necessary.

Most patients when they think about acupuncture they always associate it with hypodermic needles that are used for blood taking. Acupuncture needles are so fine they’re thinner than your hair, you can fit 5-7 acupuncture needles into the head of a normal hypodermic needle used for blood taking so the treatments are not only painless and relaxing but most patients fall asleep on the table. Patients should expect to feel the initial insertion and then they may expect to feel a dull sensation, or a slight aching sensation, a tickle or a throb or nothing at all.

The most important thing with acupuncture is that the patient is always relaxed and comfortable during the treatment because the more relaxed the patient is the better the result.

How many session is always dictated by how long you’ve had the condition, what type of symptoms you’ve developed and so on and so forth which is why we do a full consultation to begin with to come up an accurate treatment plan for your specific concern. In general it is recommended that you would start with 5-10 sessions to start feeling a result but it varies from patient to patient.

Making sure that your practitioner is licensed and trained properly, acupuncture is extremely safe and there is no danger! At Glengala Health all needles used are sterilised disposable needles which are discarded following the treatment of each patient. The only side effect from acupuncture is that the patient leaves more energised and relaxed. Acupuncture is even safe for children as long as your child is not frightened by needles.