Acupuncture is a holistic form of medicine. This simply means the ‘whole person’ is looked at rather than isolated symptoms. Unlike some other forms of medicine, acupuncture works with the body by stimulating the body’s own natural healing capability; nothing is forced. Acupuncture is based on the premise that the quality of ones Qi (or energy/ life force) determines the state of health. Hence if Qi is in balance health is maintained, but if it becomes imbalanced illness and disharmony will result. Imbalances in Qi can come about from a variety of factors such as: diet, stress, physical/emotional trauma, excessive emotional states (anger, grief etc), infections, overwork and climatic factors.

Acupuncturists work to establish the cause of an individual’s imbalance, the nature and location of their imbalance, and the most effective way to treat it. This is commonly done by the insertion of fine needles into particular areas of the body. These areas are called acupuncture points, and are located on an interconnecting network of channels that lie beneath the skin transporting Qi around the body. Treatment may also consist of any of the following: massage, acupressure, moxibustion, cupping and advice (usually surrounding the likely causes of the condition and possible ways of addressing these).

Because of Acupuncture’s holistic approach, during a course of treatment people often experience other benefits as well as improvement in their primary complaint. Common examples of such benefits include improved energy levels, sleep and emotional stability.