At the heart of traditional Chinese medicine lies acupuncture, a practice that involves delicately inserting fine needles into precise reflex points on the body
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With a history spanning nearly 3000 years, acupuncture continues to be widely practised, playing a pivotal role in treating a diverse array of health concerns.
Shepparton Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Clinic owner and Chinese medicine practitioner Klaus Lucattini said the clinic saw a variety of common ailments that acupuncture could assist with.
“We see everything from hay fever and colds and flu to chronic conditions such as neck and back pain, insomnia, migraines, hormonal and fertility issues, and even chronic fatigue,” Klaus said.
“It keeps our days very interesting.”
The misconception that acupuncture is painful often deters individuals, even those dealing with chronic pain.
“Most patients find acupuncture surprisingly comfortable,” Klaus said.
“The needling experience should be like a tingling or mild cramping. A lot of people drift off to sleep during the treatment. Everyone is different.
“Because acupuncture regulates dysfunction, there are seldom any side-effects.”
The use of ultra-thin needles, expert insertion techniques, and precise stimulation contribute to the overall comfort of the experience.
“In some instances certain symptoms may temporarily worsen before improving, while most experience a sense of relaxation and lasting wellbeing after a session,” he said.
“Because of its systemic effects, apparently unrelated symptoms may dissipate even without direct treatment.”
Although most acupuncture treatments will involve the use of needles, acupuncturists use a variety of other complementary techniques in the clinic.
These include moxibustion (warming), electro-stimulation, cupping, massage and Chinese herbal medicines.
The Acupuncture Evidence Project, published in 2017 and commissioned by the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association, presents a comprehensive overview of acupuncture’s effectiveness and safety based on rigorous research.
The study identified evidence for acupuncture’s efficacy in 117 conditions, varying in strength of evidence, and highlighted its cost-effectiveness and growing body of research over an 11-year period.
The frequency and quantity of acupuncture treatments vary based on the severity and duration of the condition as well as individual response.
While chronic ailments typically see some benefit from four to 12 sessions, Klaus said acute issues might require just one treatment, and more advanced problems could take months.
“During your initial consultation, you’ll get some guidance on your expected progress, and improvements are usually noticeable after the first couple of sessions,” he said.
“Acupuncture has the potential to bring relief and balance to a wide range of health concerns. Don’t let misconceptions hold you back — take that first step towards discovering the benefits of this ancient practice.”
Although most acupuncture treatments will involve the use of needles, acupuncturists use a variety of other complementary techniques in the clinic.
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