We have put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our services which will give you clarity on the queries you may have for us.
Most new patients are amazed how painless acupuncture is – the thought of it is worse than the reality. When the correct stimulus of the needle has been obtained and the Qi has been activated, the patient may feel some heaviness, distension, tingling or electric sensation either around the needle or travelling up or down the affected energy pathway or meridian.
Acupuncture is very much safe when practiced by a qualified practitioner. All NZASA members must use sterile single use needles and abide by the Clinical Guidelines of the organization. Occasionally a small bruise may occur at the site of the needle insertion but this is not usually painful and will clear in a few days.
Yes. NZASA was recognized in 2005 under the Accident Compensation Corporation Act, and through that NZASA registered members are able to become ACC Treatment Providers. ACC provides comprehensive, no-fault personal injury cover for all NZ residents and visitors to NZ. Once you have had an injury claim that is accepted by ACC, you can then choose to go to a provider for treatment.
However, if your circumstance is anything outside of injury or has any health concerns or an injury that has been ongoing long term, it will most likely be treated as private acupuncture session(s).
Generally we use an average of about 10 needles. However, it can vary sometimes depending on the conditions of the patient. Often the acupoints we use will be on the limbs and/ or on the trunk of the body. You're always welcome to discuss with your practitioner if you have any enquiries on your treatment.
No, there is nothing on top of the needles. They are all sterile and clean. They work by tapping into your nervous system. The body has the ability to heal itself and there’s often no need for medications.
Our practitioners will ask you to complete an information sheet upon your first visit. The questions will cover basic information such as your name, address and age, your concerns and how long the condition has been present or ongoing. You will also be asked about any medication you may be taking and whether or not you have had any surgery or any previous injury history in the past, even if it is not specifically related to the reason for your visit.
You should advise your practitioner of any following conditions below:
It is important to continue your medication. There can be serious consequences from suddenly stopping some pharmaceutical drugs. Whilst it is possible to use acupuncture to reduce the need for some medications, this should only be done after you have a consultation with your GP.
TCM believes that a fine state of health is maintained when the energy (qi) and blood flow within the body is harmonious and undisturbed. Disease, pain or dysfunction occurs when the energy and blood flow are out of balance by being stagnated, deficient or excessive. The use of acupuncture and moxibustion on acupoints along the channels have shown to be able to manipulate the distribution of energy and blood flow.
Research studies have found that acupoints overlie a significantly higher concentration of mast cells, fine lymphatics, blood capillaries, venules, and converging arterioles, along with sympathetic nerves supplying the vessels, nerve bundles, nerve plexuses, and free nerve endings. This causes acupoints to be strongly reactive to the microdamage of needle insertion.
Upon needling, damage and repair substances such as fragments of collagen, microfibrils, and basement membrane are generated. Mast cells at acupoints then release histamine, heparin and kinin protease that accelerates vasodilation phase and slows the blood clotting of the repair phase which leads to a positive anticoagulation effect. In general, the body’s defense system will pursue to expel, destroy, or neutralize the foreign object by mounting an immune reaction, initially increasing the blood flow and reducing residual muscular or tissue tension to help in working the object out of the body. This process results in a complex integrated immune, visceral, and somatic response that causes activation of the spinal afferent nociceptive (pain) and proprioceptive (muscle length and position) sensory and other nerves that in turn provoke local, spinal, and centrally mediated control. Activities of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin are then enhanced which produces analgesia./p>
Philosophy of Moxibustion
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi is the life force, the flow of energy throughout the body. Chinese medicine practitioners attempt to regulate qi through a variety of treatments, including acupuncture, cupping, and moxibustion.
Moxibustion is part of a holistic approach to overall health. Chinese medicine practitioners believe in treating the whole person, and in doing so, they consider factors beyond the presentation of symptoms of disease. Eastern philosophies believe in preventive treatments that encourage overall health and wellness. This is often strange to those whose only experience is the reactionary method of Western medicine.
Typically, patients feel a flood of warmth to the treatment area that then radiates along the treatment pathway. This indicates a reinvigorated flow of qi.
Moxibustion is a type of heat treatment employed to warm and improve the flow of qi and invigorate blood flow throughout the body.
Treatment involves heating dried plants called “moxa,” typically comprised of (Artemisia vulgaris) Chinese mugwort, a leafy plant.
In moxibustion, the mugwort is dried and aged, and used in a variety of forms, including rods shaped like small cigars, powders, and cones similar to incense cones. Your acupuncturist burns the moxa, either directly or indirectly on the skin, at acupressure points.
Chinese medicine practitioners use moxibustion to treat a variety of issues, as well as to prevent them. This includes conditions in which patients feel better with the application of heat, such as arthritis.
In women, moxibustion helps with a number of gynecological issues, including painful periods and even breech presentation during pregnancy.
Other conditions may be able to help with or preventable with moxibustion include:/p>
Your acupuncturist may perform both moxibustion and acupuncture within the same session, as each is more effective when combined with the other.
If you are interested in knowing more about moxibustion, or would like to include it in your holistic approach to wellness, contact us today.
Philosophy of Cupping Therapy
Cupping is a type of alternative therapy of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.
We use cupping to complement our treatment for a host of injuries and conditions.
In cupping treatment, a cup is placed on the skin and then heated or suctioned onto the skin either in a form of glass cups, or plastic cups. When the cup is placed on your skin, the air inside the cup cools and creates a vacuum that draws the skin and muscle upward into the cup. Your skin may turn red as the blood vessels respond to the change in pressure.
Usually cupping is set in time between 10 to 15 minutes. After cupping finished, you may experience some mild bruising or red circular marks which usually go away within 3-5 days of the session. Cupping is often performed along with acupuncture treatments.
Although cupping can be applied to large majority of patients. However, cupping therapy isn’t recommended for anyone. Extra caution will be taken for the following groups:
We will not use cupping if you are or have been on blood-thinner medication
Also avoid cupping if you have:
Philosophy of Auriculotherapy
Auriculotherapy, which refers to acupressure or acupuncture on the ear. They’re based on the same general principles as acupuncture. Ear seed/needle is a piece of tiny little sticker which is placed on auricular points to to stimulate a certain response in the body.
The concept of auriculotherapy is very much similar to reflexology, think of your ear as a micro system of the whole body within the size of the ear, each area of the ear reflex on different area of the body. It can be used alone or combined with other acupuncture techniques to enhance the effect of the treatment.
People claim ear seeds help with a range of health issues, including:
Ear seed/needle is stuck on a piece can be left on for up to 1 week. It is safe to leave it on when having a shower, or during sleep. However, try your best not to let the stickers soak. As the stickers on your ear may soak up moisture when being expose in wet environment, it will be easier to fall off on its own. Remove seeds/needle that was place on the ear after one week, to allow the skin to rejuvenate before replacement.
Ear seeds/needles are generally safe. Each sticker is sterile, disposable and for single use only. They are at a much lower risk of infection or bleeding compared to acupuncture. You may experience some discomfort on the 1st and 2nd day of placing it on the ear, but as your body gets used to it, you will hardly feel that it is there. If your body still hasn’t got use to it after 1st and 2nd day, feel free to remove it on your ear and advise us either through contact our staff or upon your next visit.
However, if you have sensitive skin or a latex allergy, which may cause some irritation, please let us know in advance. If your skin tends to get irritated, feel free to remove them and let us know.
Some people also develop small sores around the stickers. This is often due to massaging the seeds too frequently or not letting the ears rest before applying new seeds.
If your question wasn't included in the above FAQs, please feel free to contact us or ask our practitioners upon your visit.
ADB Acupuncture Clinic aims to deliver amazing outcomes with our core services. In addition to giving you time to unwind, we offer therapeutic care that is results-driven. Our goal is to offer services that place a strong emphasis on an individual's overall wellness.
