Does Acupuncture work?
Research
has shown that most people gain pain relief from Acupuncture and this is
generally due to the release of endorphins into the body during the Acupuncture
process. Endorphins are pain inhibiting substances which create an analgesic
effect. The scientific proof of the release of endorphins allows Acupuncture to
be integrated with conventional medicine. Clinical trials provide evidence that
it has a powerful and sustained effect on musculoskeletal pain.
Patients
treated with Acupuncture may require more than one treatment before the
Physiotherapist can be certain that there is a response to the treatment.
People who are ‘strong reactors’ to acupuncture will show changes immediately
after the first treatment and may even become slightly worse initially. The
majority of patients experience a gradual change in symptoms. The effect of
acupuncture is often cumulative.
Acupuncture
is most effective if a 'needling' sensation is felt by the patient at every
Acupuncture point. This sensation, known as the 'DEQI' (pronounced 'day-chee') is described as a numbness, fullness,
deep aching, or warmth.
Acupuncture
does not work for everybody or for every condition, but good results are
frequently achieved, even when the more conventional fields have been tried and
failed.