Acupuncture is an ancient medicine whose effectiveness
is now accepted in most western countries including New Zealand.
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles in specific
points of the body to restore health, which allows the
patient to get back to health without the use of medical drugs.
Traditional Chinese Medicine “TCM” describes pathways
of energy carrying nourishment and information to all tissues
and organs. These reflect the state of health of the body systems.
The acupuncturist adjusts and rebalances these via certain points
of the body.There is now considerable scientific documentation
to show that these points, the acupoints, have distinct electrical
resistance compared to other areas of the body’s surface,
proving their existence.
The acupuncturist will ask not only details of the immediate problem,
but also take a case history of past illnesses, familial tendencies,
and aim to determine a complete picture of the patient’s
health. Each treatment is tailor made for the individual.Needles
are retained usually between 15 to 20 minutes while the patient
is lying comfortably on the treatment table, after which some
dietary and or exercise advice may be given. The whole process
lasts about 45 minutes.
Needle sterilization practiced by NZRA members complies with NZ
Department of Health standards. Whangarei Treatment Providers use
single use disposable needles only.
Yes! ACC covers and endorses acupuncture treatment
as long as the practitioner is ACC accredited, as applies to this
clinic. Though, as is usual practice among other clinics and
health professionals, there is a surcharge for each treatment.
There is no set number of treatments for any given problem. During
the first appointment an indicator of how many sessions required
will be discussed, as the general state of health of the patient
and the seriousness of the problem must be ascertained. At this
clinic your acupuncturist is dedicated to getting you back to
health asap!
In New Zealand acupuncture is well known for treating muscle and
joint pain like sore backs, necks, shoulders, elbows, knees, sciatica
and the like. But its field of treatment is far larger than this.
The World Health Organisation endorses acupuncture treatment for
a wide variety of illnesses, a list of which can be obtained here.
This list includes many things:-
- Heart problems.
- Digestion, abdominal pain.
- Women’s health issues, PMT, period pain, menopause.
- Insomnia, anxiety.
- Sports performance enhancement.
- Male health.
- General maintenance of health and immunity.
- Acupuncture’s scope of treatment often surprises many
people!
Most new patients are amazed how painless acupuncture is. However
certain stimulus will give a feeling of heaviness, distention
or slight tingling around the needle. The practitioner assesses
the patient and uses more or less stimulus depending on the sensitivity
of the individual. We are here to relieve pain, not induce it!
So patient comfort is paramount.
NZRA stands for the NZ Register of Acupuncturists and was incorporated
as a society in 1977 to promote acupuncture and to ensure the
highest standards of ethics and professionalism amongst its members.
It is actively involved with the government to further regulate
and incorporate the practice of acupuncture in NZ. NZRA members
are the most extensively trained acupuncturists in the country.
New members must have trained at a recognised college for a minimum
of four years full time study. The NZRA is a member and affiliated
with several worldwide organisations for acupuncture and Traditional
Chinese Medicine.
Further Information
www.acupuncture.org.nz
www.acupuncture.com
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What is Acupuncture?
