Should I try acupuncture?

Q – I suffer with terrible lower back pain when I have my period. A friend of mine suggested acupuncture but I know nothing about it. Would it help?

A - Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the skin at certain points of the body. Acupuncture is an alternative medicine and unlike conventional treatment is not always based on scientific evidence in the way that Western medicine is.

The Theory

Acupuncture is based on the belief that life flows through the body in channels called meridians and when the life force cannot flow freely through the body this causes illness.

Some practitioners believe that acupuncture may stimulate nerves and muscle tissue, and that this may be responsible for any beneficial effects.

Uses

Acupuncture is practised to treat a wide range of health conditions including:

·         Headaches

·         Lower back pain

·         Dental pain

·         Infertility

·         Anxiety

·         Asthma

Does it work?

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends acupuncture as a treatment option for lower back pain.

More scientific research is needed to establish whether acupuncture is effective against other conditions.

However, many practitioners and clients claim that the benefits of acupuncture are far reaching and even life changing.

Benefits

• Acupuncture is often used by cancer patients to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapies providing an improved quality of life.

• Acupuncture can help treat the symptoms associated with PMS and menopause including; cramps, headaches, mood swings and night sweats.

• Acupuncture can help strengthen the immune system by balancing the body’s energy systems.

• Acupuncture can help provide relief from insomnia by helping to unblock any of the causes of sleep imbalance.

• Acupuncture can help to provide emotional balance and can reduce depression, anxiety, frustration and worry. Acupuncture points have a physical and emotional aspect to their function.

• Acupuncture can help with pain reduction by targeting specific points of the body