Acupuncture

Acupuncture in Canberra

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a holistic approach to treat and prevent body imbalances. The practice has been practised in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years. It is an effective, natural and increasingly popular means of treating and preventing body imbalances through the application of needles to the body.

Safe

Effective

Alleviates Symptoms

Stimulates Energy Balance

How Does It Work?

Qi and Meridians

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), qi (pronounced "chee") is the vital life energy that flows through the body, maintaining health and balance. Meridians are energy pathways through which qi circulates. These channels connect various body parts, facilitating the harmonious flow of qi.

In theory when there is enough qi or 'life energy' flowing through the body's meridians for the body and mind to stay healthy. However, the flow of qi can be blocked by stress, overworking, unhealthy eating, illness, weather, and the environment.

If the flow of qi in a meridian becomes blocked or is in short supply, then the body fails to maintain balance and harmony and becomes sensitive to illness and disease.

It is believed that qi is made up of two contradictory energy forms called yin and yang. Illnesses and diseases are said to be the result of the imbalance of yin and yang, caused by factors acting on internal organs and manifesting at certain points in the body.

TCM adopts a holistic perspective and takes into account the impact of seasonal and weather variations on the human body. For instance, during summer, yang-qi moves to the body's exterior, causing the skin and muscles to relax. Conversely, in winter, due to the cold, yang-qi retreats to the body's interior, resulting in skin contraction and minimal perspiration.

Climate changes can be overwhelming for our bodies. It becomes difficult for us to adapt to the changes in our environment. This can result in an imbalance of yin and yang, which can subsequently lead to sickness and disease.

A person is getting acupuncture on their back at

Two doctors are giving acupuncture to a patient

The Treatment

Acupuncture is a simple process that involves the insertion of extremely thin, sterile needles into acupoints located along various energy meridians and pathways.

These needles clear energy blockages and encourage a normal flow of qi through the body. To achieve the very best results, the method of treatment used and the selection of acupoints must be based on proper diagnosis and treatment principles, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine theories.

To truly make a difference, it is important to correct any imbalance between yin and yang. Specific acupoints are chosen to help reduce illness and disease.

The Many Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the main therapies for treating body imbalances. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, meridians are interconnected. They form a network that links the fingers to the brain.

Along these networks, many energy-gathering points have strong influences on the body’s responses. Acupuncture can stimulate points that affect the body's responses to ease disorders and balance energy. Chinese Medicine sees the mind, body, and emotions as interconnected. Acupuncture can enhance the physical response, which in turn improves mental and emotional well-being and adjusts energy flow.

Unlocking Wellness Through Acupuncture: Your Path to Holistic Healing

In the realm of alternative medicine, acupuncture stands out as a time-tested practice that transcends centuries.

Key Benefits:

Pain Management:

Acupuncture is well-known for relieving different types of pain, such as chronic back pain, migraines, and arthritis.

Stress Reduction:

This ancient therapy is a powerful stress buster. Acupuncture sessions are designed to enhance relaxation, reduce anxiety, and restore emotional well-being.

Improved Sleep Quality:

Many individuals turn to acupuncture for relief from insomnia. The practice is known to regulate sleep patterns and promote more restful nights.

Immune System Support:

Acupuncture boosts the immune system, making it stronger against sickness and improving overall health.

Digestive Harmony:

Digestive issues can find resolution through acupuncture. The practice aims to create harmony within the digestive system, providing relief from conditions like indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Visit Capital Chinese Medicine to experience the amazing benefits of acupuncture, cupping therapy, remedial massage, herbal medicine, and more. Your well-being is at the heart of our practice—where ancient traditions seamlessly merge with contemporary healing. Our health practitioners have over 20 years of experience.

Schedule your appointment today at Capital Chinese Medicine. Experience the synergy of ancient wisdom and modern wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Acupuncture Work?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture is one of the main therapies in treating body imbalances.

Chinese Medicine believes that the human body meridians are connected as a network. For example, it is considered as one mechanism connected from fingers to the brain. Along these networks, there are many energy gathering points that have strong influence to the body’s responses.

Acupuncture can stimulate these points which can affect the body’s responses in certain way to rectify the disorder or to achieve the energy balance. Chinese Medicine also believes that the mental, physical and emotion aspects of a person as one, and therefore with acupuncture stimulation where the physical can respond, this also enhances the mental and emotions which can then adjust the energy flow.
What Can I Expect When Getting Acupuncture?

In general, a small prick when the needle is first inserted is all that a patient will feel during an acupuncture session.

Pain during an acupuncture session may be associated with different things. The current mental and physical condition of a patient will alter the level of discomfort. If the condition is more severe, it will also affect the outcome of acupuncture and the level of pain.

The time of the day when receiving acupuncture can also intensify physical sensations. For example, after work when an individual is tired or stressed can cause treatment to be more uncomfortable.

Posture and movement can also affect comfort during acupuncture. It is not necessary to be completely still; however, it is recommended to keep the area being treated still to reduce the chance of pain. Moving other parts of the body whilst being treated should not have an impact on pain.

Patients may also experience other sensations apart from pain whilst having acupuncture. Feelings of electricity, itchiness and heaviness of limbs, or a combination of these may also be present.

Qi starts from the hands and feet and moves outwards throughout the body. Energy is very concentrated below the knees and below the elbows, especially in the hands and the feet, so patients may experience stronger physical effects.
How Should I Feel after I Receive Acupuncture Treatment?

Responses to acupuncture are different for everyone. Some people will feel very calm and a little tired; others will feel energised and refreshed; some may feel heavy and tingling sensations at the associated area. In general, the experience is mild, gentle and more connecting to the body’s sensations. However, some people feel pain for a few hours or longer. This can be attributed to the channels of Qi being opened up with the acupuncture.

We recommend that patients being treated with acupuncture abstain from full water contact, such as showering or swimming, for two hours after treatment. Otherwise, it is okay to continue with your day as normal, driving, walking, eating etc.
How Often Should I Get Treated with Acupuncture?

The frequency and length of time that each person should receive acupuncture changes with individual conditions.

Usually, if the condition is acute then the treatment will be quite frequent, but if a patient has a chronic condition, usually it is recommended that they have treatment 1 – 2 times a week for a period of 5 – 10 weeks before reassessment of the condition.
Is Acupuncture Safe Whilst Being Treated with Other Methods or Whilst Taking Medication?

Chinese Medicine revolves around a theory of holistic care and so works well in conjunction with other Chinese Medicine treatment such as herbs and acupressure massage.

It is also fine to be treated with acupuncture whilst taking medication. Generally, Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments do not affect other medical treatments.
Are There Different Styles?

At the Capital Health Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine, our practitioners use five different techniques of acupuncture specifically selected to treat individual conditions.

Body
This technique is very traditional and is based around centres in the body, which are called Meridians.

Auricular
This technique is practised on the ears. Practitioners use this type of acupuncture especially to establish the body’s rhythm and balance overall Qi flow. It is also convenient for people who are travelling because this type of acupuncture can remain on that area for a few days.

Holigraphic
This technique involves one part of the body being a miniature representation of the entire body. This technique allows practitioners to treat areas that are unable to be directly accessed.

It is common to use Holographic acupuncture for mixed conditions comprising mental and physical components and also usually when a patient has bodily discomfort in certain areas.

Zone Reflection
This technique involves the use of a partner, or an opposite body part in place of the actual location of the condition. It is often used to improve the communication of different parts of the body and help the affected area to improve by using the healthy part to balance back.

Trigger Point
This acupuncture technique is also referred to as Ashi Point Acupuncture and is used for soft-tissue conditions. It treats muscle tightness, conditions from overuse and generally mild, chronic conditions such as posture sports-related imbalance.