What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture treatment involves stimulating sensory nerves by inserting needles into the skin at specific acupuncture points. The practice is holistic, and while it is considered a complementary and alternative medicine, there are many studies that show that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for a range of health conditions.
As a leading acupuncture practice based in Birmingham, Wild Acupuncture understands how acupuncture can benefit patients of all ages and help them to deal with a variety of ailments. Keep reading to learn more about acupuncture, its rich history and the different types of acupuncture.
History Of Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatment originated in China, and has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine for 3000 years or more.
First mentioned in documents from 100 BCE, there are also even earlier examples of sharp stones or bones being used instead of acupuncture needles as early as 6000 BCE.
References to system of meridians and energy, also known as qi, which are a key part of acupuncture and help determine acupuncture points, were found in documents sealed in the Ma-Wang-Dui tomb around 198 BCE.
During the Ming dynasty, acupuncture flourished in China, but from the 17th century onwards the practice declined.
Then, in 1822, Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty banned the practice of acupuncture and moxibustion from the Imperial Medical Institute in China. Western medicine became the norm, and in 1928 acupuncture and other traditional Chinese medicine practices were outlawed until 1949, when the new communist Chinese government reinstated it.
Since then, acupuncture has become increasingly popular both in China and further afield. Throughout the 17th century, acupuncture was mentioned by missionaries and travellers to China, and while there were some acupuncture practitioners in Europe and America at this time, there were very few and many didn't have a strong understanding of the basic principles.
Acupuncture started to gain global popularity in 1971, with the publication of the article Now, About My Operation in Peking, by James Reston. The New York Times article sparked interest, and as it was now easier to travel to China, many went there to learn and started to practice acupuncture in their home countries. Five Element Acupuncture was developed in England by JR Worsley in Leamington Spa, following his extensive travels to China and Korea.
Today, acupuncture is a global phenomenon, and there are around 15 different types. It has been proven to treat pain and a range of other symptoms and illnesses, and in the UK, acupuncture can be available on the NHS in some cases.
How Does Acupuncture Treatment Work?
Acupuncture works to help maintain your body’s equilibrium. It involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body to regulate the flow of ‘qi’, your body’s vital energy.
For a number of lifestyle and environmental reasons, qi can become disturbed, depleted or blocked, which can result in some symptoms of pain and illness. In certain instances, traditional acupuncture can be an effective therapy to help restore balance and promote physical and emotional harmony.
Treatment is aimed at the root of your condition as well as your main symptoms. This approach helps with resolving your problem and enhancing your feeling of wellbeing. You may notice other niggling problems resolve as your main health complaint improves.
Many people come to acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or to relieve specific pains like osteoarthritis of the knee. Some use acupuncture because they feel generally unwell but have no obvious diagnosis. Others choose acupuncture simply to enhance their feeling of wellbeing. Acupuncture is considered suitable for all ages including babies and children. It can be used effectively alongside conventional medicine.
What are the Benefits of Acupuncture?
A lot of people seek acupuncture to help relieve specific conditions, especially pain conditions such as tension headaches, migraines, neck or back pain, osteoarthritis of the knee and temporomandibular joint pain. Clinical trials have shown that acupuncture does relieve these symptoms, at least in the short term.
Whatever your particular problem, because treatment is designed to affect your whole body and not just your symptoms, you may notice other niggling complaints also get better with a course of treatment. Indeed, some people choose acupuncture when they feel their bodily functions are out of balance, but they have no obvious diagnosis. Once tried, many people have regular or ‘top-up’ treatments because they find it so beneficial and relaxing.
For some conditions, such as migraine, acupuncture can be given to prevent flare-ups from occurring. People also have acupuncture for other health problems. For example, there is clinical evidence that acupuncture provides short-term relief for overactive bladder syndrome.
Another benefit of acupuncture is that it can be given alongside other therapies and/ or medication, in almost all circumstances. Researchers can only draw firm conclusions about whether acupuncture is effective or not when high quality evidence is available. In the last decade, the evidence regarding some chronic pain conditions has become much stronger. Based on this evidence, in 2017, the National Institute for Health and Research issued a Signal (a short summary of recently published research) that acupuncture was effective for some chronic pain and was not a placebo. However, for many conditions there are simply not enough good quality clinical trials for researchers to draw firm conclusions.
Please see the A-Z of acupuncture evidence on the British Acupuncture Council Website and/or the Cochrane Library.
If you are considering having acupuncture and would like to know more, please contact me on janine@wildacupuncture.co.uk. We also recommend that you speak to your GP.
Acupuncture is currently included in the following National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines:
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Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management (CG150)
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Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain (CG193)
Global research suggests that acupuncture can be effective for a variety of conditions, including:
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Migraines And Tension Headaches: Chronic pain from regular headaches or migraines can be reduced with acupuncture. While acupuncture won't fully eradicate migraines, it has been shown to lessen them and reduce their severity.
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Dental Pain: Acupuncture can be used to treat tooth pain. Studies show that it can alleviate dental pain by stimulating the nerves and releasing endorphins, which are natural substances in the body used to reduce pain.
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Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic Rhinitis, which is a allergic reaction to pet dander, pollen, dust and other allergens, can be treated with acupuncture.
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Musculoskeletal Pain: Back pain, neck pain, knee pain and other aches or pains in your bones and muscles can all be treated with acupuncture. Evidence shows short-term relief from musculoskeletal pain, but many patients can get extensive relief with the continued use of acupuncture.
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Myofascial Pain: Long-term pain can be treated with acupuncture, and studies have shown that patients using acupuncture compared to the control group had significantly better pain relief.
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Mental Health Conditions: Stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, motion sickness and other mental conditions can be alleviated with acupuncture, and some psychiatrists even recommend acupuncture alongside traditional therapy for a range of conditions.
If you're unsure about whether acupuncture is the right option for you, speak to your GP or healthcare provider, who can provide tailored recommendations.
"Acupuncture treatment originated in China, and has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine for 3000 years or more."
Types Of Acupuncture
As mentioned previously, there are several types of acupuncture, and while both involve needles and acupuncture points, they have different focuses:
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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including Five Element Acupuncture: Uses acupuncture needles to manage the flow of qi around the body.
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Western Medical Acupuncture: Uses acupuncture needles to stimulate naturally released substances such as hormones and endorphins to restore health.
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Within these two main disciplines, there are several variations and different styles of acupuncture. Some of the most common TCM acupuncture styles include:
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Five Element Acupuncture: A popular holistic method used at Wild Acupuncture Birmingham and other acupuncture clinics throughout the world, Five Element Acupuncture is a traditional system of Chinese medicine that treats the whole person using the natural Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water). It can be used to manage a variety of symptoms and conditions, and is popular thanks to its effectiveness and its comprehensive approach, as Five Element Acupuncture takes into account every aspect of the patient's mind, body and spirit.
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Auricular Acupuncture: Also known as Ear Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture focuses on the ear, which is believed to be the microcosm of the whole body, with acupuncture points in the ear believed to offer pain relief and reduce stress, insomnia, motion sickness and more.
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Japanese Acupuncture: Similar to traditional acupuncture techniques used by Chinese medicine practitioners, Japanese Acupuncture is primarily differentiated by its use of very fine needles and palpation to stimulate the flow of qi through the body.
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Korean Acupuncture: Another similar style to TCM, Korean Acupuncture incorporates hand and ear therapy, focusing on these parts of the body to guide the flow of qi. Korean Acupuncture practitioners also typically use fewer acupuncture needles in their treatment.
Within Western Medical Acupuncture, sometimes known as Western Medicine Acupuncture or dry needling, there are 2 main types:
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Trigger Point Acupuncture: Trigger Point Acupuncture inserts thin needles into knots in the muscles to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension and restore health.
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Electroacupuncture: A modern approach, Electroacupuncture uses electrical stimulation, with a pair of fine needles set up to pass an electrical current between one another on specific points to release endorphins. This technique is commonly used to relieve pain as well as manage anxiety, stress and also some gastrointestinal disorders.
Ensuring High Standards of Care
Janine is a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) – the UK’s largest, member-led, professional body for traditional acupuncturists.
BAcC members belong to an accredited register, regulated and approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health & Social Care (PSA). The PSA protects the public by overseeing the regulation and registration of healthcare professionals - including statutorily regulated professions, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and Accredited Registers like the BAcC. This offers a quality mark for high standards of training, safe practice and professional conduct.
Book An Acupuncture Session At Wild Acupuncture Birmingham
Wild Acupuncture, led by British Acupuncture Council Member Janine Bowers Wild, is a top acupuncture practice based in Birmingham.
Janine took her teaching and charity experience and channeled it into acupuncture following a life changing acupuncture treatment.
Having experienced the benefits of Five Element Acupuncture, Janine took the Honours degree level Licentiate course at The Acupuncture Academy in Leamington Spa, which is a three year degree level qualification accredited by the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board, graduating with Distinction and with her clinical work Highly Commended.
Janine is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and adheres to the Council’s Codes of Safe Practice and Professional conduct.
British Acupuncture Council members are also registered with the Professional Standards Authority, a government body set up to regulate health and social care providers, which is accountable to Parliament.
Janine practices Five Element Acupuncture, and will consider each patient's main health problem, together with a holistic approach to you as an individual. Janine also has experience and additional training in massage, auricular acupuncture, cupping, gua sha and tui na to compliment the acupuncture treatment offered.
Thanks to all her expertise, Janine is able to provide a complete approach that combines traditional techniques with modern acupuncture knowledge.
Wild Acupuncture is fully licensed by the council and holds full medical malpractice and public/products liability insurance cover, to give you complete peace of mind.
So, if you're looking for trusted, reliable Five Element Acupuncture in Birmingham, Wild Acupuncture is the perfect practice. To book your appointment, contact us on 07765 575149 or by emailing janine@wildacupuncture.co.uk.