Acupuncture – Why Put Yourself Through This Crazy Idea?
A few of decades ago when you mentioned acupuncture in Australia, many people would cringe and wonder why would anyone want needles put into their bodies. Today few people would not have heard of acupuncture and many people have tried it. They are beginning to see the benefits of this age-old medicine. Originated in China over 3000 years ago, acupuncture has spread across the globe over the last few decades. It is the first line of defence for many people in China because needles are affordable for the grass root and side effects are few. It is widely used in pain management, stroke, paralysis, sciatica, fertility, pregnancy support and many other areas in Europe, America, Australia and other parts of the world.
Is Acupuncture Just A Placebo Effect?
You can find many research studies that conclude that acupuncture is not just a placebo effect. It is actually doing something to your body. A placebo effect is a phenomenon where a fake treatment produces an improvement in a patient’s condition as a result of the patient’s belief that the treatment will work. Most things from a sugar pill to meditation can produce a therapeutic effect. Though placebo effect exists, most of the time it may only be responsible for a small percentage of improvement. Can a 3000 year ago road-tested therapy endure this long for an entire culture based on placebo? It would be naive to make say yes. I personally have treated people with conditions such as sciatica where the results are always remarkable. I have also come across patients having been treated with the wrong points and acupuncture made no difference to their health. So the therapeutic effect is not all in the head. It is as real as the sensation you feel when you poke yourself with a stick.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
The short answer is – it doesn’t hurt anywhere near as much as people expect. The pain you get when a nurse pokes around your arm with an injection needle during a blood test is much more intense that the pain from an acupuncture needle. Acupuncture needles are much thinner and floppier than the injection needle. Many times my patients say to me, “Has the needle gone in already?”
When the needle goes into the skin, you may experience a quick prick. Once the needle is in, the prick disappears. I must stress, though, that your hands and feet are much more sensitive than the trunk of your body, say the back. This is simply because there are more nerve endings in the extremities. On the other hand, once the needle is in, sometimes it is necessary to obtain an achy, numb, heavy or electrical sensation to produce better outcomes.
Acupuncture styles vary from one physician to another. Chinese style acupuncture aims to induce a strong achy sensation for a better outcome.
All you have to do is tell the practitioner that you are scared of needles. Be gentle.
Is There Acupuncture Without Needles?
Yes, you CAN stimulate an acupuncture point without needles. The use of a laser pointer and finger pressure are two alternatives. The technical term is laser acupuncture and acupressure. They are effective although if you want the strongest treatment possible, get the original thing. There are limitations with acupressure and laser acupuncture. For example, you can only work on one point at a time instead of many needles stimulating at the same time. Plus you can’t warm many points at the same time with a all-important technique called moxibustion.
Are there Side Effects of Acupuncture?
The side effects of acupuncture are minimal if the practitioner is sensible and properly trained. When the needle comes out, occasionally there may be a drop of blood or mild bruising. Pressure is applied and the opening is swabbed with alcohol. I have never in the clinics I have worked in come across infection when these procedures are followed. The worse thing that can happen, though, is when an inexperienced or over-confident acupuncturist uses a long needle that goes through a patient’s lung causing a pneumothorax. That would be an emergency to the hospital. Thankfully this has never happened in my clinic! So find someone with a good track record.
Are Acupuncture Needles Reused In Australia?
No, no, no! I would NEVER go to an acupuncturist who reuses their needles. It’s really not worth the risk. I and everyone I know use brand new one-off needles all the time. The only time I have seen practitioners reuse their needles was during my training in hospitals in China. The needles were sterilised in various ways and were supposed to be safe. But still, I felt very sorry for the patients but what could I do? We are indeed very lucky in Australia. Like our climate and our food, even acupuncture needles are pristine.
The benefit of effectiveness and minimal side effects outweigh the temporary discomfort. I am convinced by the converts.
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