Acupuncture

Western medical acupuncture is a form of acupuncture that has developed over the last 30 years. It is similar to traditional acupuncture, but is based on the principles of modern conventional medicine. Practitioners of western medical acupuncture are usually conventional healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.

Chinese acupuncture is one element of the wider system of traditional Chinese medicine, which developed in China at least 2,000 years ago and is used to both diagnose and treat illness. Traditional Chinese medicine also includes herbal medicine, massage, exercise and diet.

Chinese medicine is based on the theory that energy (known as qi, pronounced chee) flows through pathways in the body. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities -yin and yang - and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore its natural balance.

Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of illnesses.

Pain: most types of pain; including back; neck; shoulder; dental or leg pain; low back pain; general aches and pains; headaches; rheumatic or arthritic pain; sports injuries; sciatica or trapped nerves; chronic muscle strain; migraines; plantar fasciitis; shingles and trigeminal neuralgia; and pain relief following surgery.

Other medical problems: including nausea and vomiting; menstrual or menopause problems; bladder, bowel or digestive problems; anxiety states; stress and depression; hay fever and rhinitis; circulatory problems; skin problems; infertility; fibrositis; ulcers; allergies; sinus problems; chronic catarrh; dry mouth or eyes; angina; insomnia; chronic fatigue syndrome and general tiredness; post operative nausea and vomiting.

Addictions: acupuncture is being increasingly used for people trying to overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs and smoking. Auricular acupuncture (putting needles into the ear) is often used.

Maternity: acupuncture is used during pregnancy, particularly for nausea and vomiting, for back and pelvic pain and to turn a breech baby and for pain relief during childbirth, but should only be given by a properly trained and qualified practitioner.

Your first appointment will last from about 30 minutes to an hour and a half. The acupuncturist will ask you about your current symptoms; medical history and any other medication you are currently taking; diet and digestion; sleep patterns and emotional state. A traditional acupuncturist will also feel your pulses on both wrists and look at your tongue. These tests help them to decide where to put the needles.

The acupuncturist will then insert very fine needles into the surface of your skin in a number of different places, called acupuncture points. The needles will be left there for an appropriate length of time before they are gently removed. Some people don't feel anything during acupuncture, while others may feel tingling or a slight sensation.

The needles may be manipulated from time to time, or stimulated electrically. Heat may be applied either to the needles or directly to the point by burning a herb called moxa. Points may be stimulated using other methods, such as massage or low level laser.

Follow-up treatments usually last between 30 minutes and one hour. The number of treatments you need will depend on the health condition that you are seeking treatment for. For most complaints, you can expect to notice improvements within about five or six sessions.To begin with the acupuncturist may recommend that you receive treatment once or twice a week. Patients with chronic (long-term) illnesses may need top-up treatments every few weeks.

Sometimes symptoms can temporarily get worse after a treatment, though that is generally nothing to be concerned about, or you may feel tired, light headed or, occasionally, dizzy. It is best not to plan to do anything too strenuous immediately after an acupuncture treatment. If you do feel dizzy or drowsy you should not drive until you are sure you feel better. If you carry on feeling dizzy, or worse, or you feel ill in a different way after the treatment, you must tell your practitioner. Very occasionally there may be pain during treatment or a little bleeding or bruising after treatment. Occasionally, certain patients may faint, particularly with their first treatment.

Serious side effects can occur after acupuncture but the risk has been estimated as less than one per 10,000 treatments. Serious harm, including pneumothorax (a collection of air or gas in the chest or pleural space that causes part or all of a lung to collapse), damage to heart or blood vessels and nerve damage can be caused by poor practice. An article in the British Medical Journal said that in the hands of a competent practitioner, acupuncture is a very safe treatment. Properly trained and qualified acupuncturists should use sterile, disposable needles.

For your own safety, you should tell your acupuncturist if you have ever had a fit or fainted or if you have a heart pacemaker, damaged heart valves, if you are taking anti-coagulants or other medication. Your acupuncturist will ask you about any serious condition you may have, so make sure you tell them everything, even if you think it is not important. This includes lung disease; severe arterial disease; cancer or a bleeding disorder. Make sure also that you tell them about any other medication you are taking, including complementary medicines. If you have certain illnesses or are taking particular medicines, acupuncture may not be suitable for you or the acupuncturist may need to avoid putting needles in certain places or avoid using particular techniques.

Treatments cost from between £15 and £60 upwards per appointment, depending on where the acupuncturist is based. The first consultation may cost more as it often takes longer than a follow-up appointment. Some health insurance schemes and medical cash plans cover acupuncture treatment, and acupuncture is sometimes available as part of NHS physiotherapy treatment and in NHS pain clinics.

The professional organisations listed below are working together towards the statutory regulation of acupuncturists, although proposals are advanced, it is as yet unknown when this will come into law. For up-to-date information visit the Department of Health website.

see also:

• British Acupuncture Council - practitioners of traditional acupuncture.
• British Medical Acupuncture Society - medical practitioners who practice acupuncture.
• Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists -physiotherapists who use acupuncture as part of their treatment.
• British Academy of Western Medical Acupuncture  - for nurses, doctors and physiotherapists who practise acupuncture.