Acupuncture Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and restore balance. The word "acupuncture" itself comes from Latin, meaning “to puncture the skin with a needle.” It was coined in the 1680s by the Dutch physician Willem Ten Rhijne, who documented the acupuncture practices he observed in Japan.

While the term itself is relatively modern, acupuncture has been practiced for over 2,000 years not just in China but throughout Asia, the Middle East and in Europe. (i)

Acupuncture is commonly associated with Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and many believe it originated in China over 2,000 years ago at the time when the Silk road transferred knowledge and technology between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. However, evidence shows that acupuncture techniques were used across various cultures around the world as early as 5,000 years ago, long before the first recorded evidence of acupuncture appeared in China.

The more recent discovery of Ötzi the Iceman—a 5,300-year-old mummified man found in the Italian Alps—provided evidence that the earliest forms of tatooing were actually early forms of acupuncture. Otzi- an ancient hunter and gatherer- was found with over 60 tattoos made of thin lines and dots positioned randomly over various areas of his body. X-ray, Ct scans and MRI imagery tests revealed previous injuries under the tattoos. These tattoos, made with a small needle and charcoal mixed with herbs show the oldest evidence of the of acupuncture use or pericing the skin with a needle for theraputic effect.

Italy, Egypt, Greece, the Middle East, and South America all provide ancient artifacts, manuscripts, and carvings that show many cultures throuhght the world have used different types of needles to massage, pierce, cut, blood-let, cauterize, and heat (moxibustion) the body, these different methods of stimulation are defined as acupuncture today. (ii)

The style of Acupuncture most commonly taught and practiced around the world today is Traditional Chinese Medicine with it a historical and cultural idea that acupuncture stimulates the flow of Qi (pronounced "chee") along pathways called meridians. According to TCM, blockages or imbalances in Qi can lead to illness and acupuncture is used to restore balance and promote healing.

Currently there are over 10,000 randomised controlled trials on acupuncture published with modern, science-based acupuncture research showing acupuncture works in two primary ways:

1. Stimulates Tissue Repair

2. Regulates the Nervous System

1. Stimulating Tissue Repair

Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the repair of damaged or degenerated muscles, tendons, fascia, and nerves by inserting thin needles to trigger the body’s natural healing response, a process called the wound healing cascade. The needles activate fibroblast cells to release growth factor, activate collagen production, and attract stem cells to the affected area, promoting tissue regeneration.

Interestingly, acupuncture works similarly to other regenerative therapies like micro-needling (collagen induction therapy), stem cell therapy, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

These treatments all activate the body’s inherent ability to repair any damaged tissues and can be used in cosmetic acupuncture treatments to help rejuvenate the face by reducing wrinkles and increase skin and muscle tone or stimulate repair to muscles, tendons and nerves damaged from a recent or old injury causing pain, arthritis and joint degeneration.

2. Regulates the Nervous System

The second way acupuncture works is by regulating the nervous system. Our body’s functions—muscle movement, hormone balance, digestion, pain responses—are controlled by programs inside physical structures of the nervous system. By stimulating the structures (acupuncture points) their neurological programs house inside are activated, these programs may control and regulate the body's functions.

For example, a Doctor can tap your knee with a small hammer to make your leg jump, this test is called the patellar reflex test, it is used to test for there is damage to the nerves in spine also to check the function of the thyriod and the brain. Inside the knee there is a small nerve structure called a Golgi Organ that when physically stimulated can activate it program controlling muscles and other areas of the brain.

Acupuncture works by stimulating points not just to test but also to activate specific fuctions and structures of the body that are not working, acupuncture needles inside these points stimulates the its normal biological programs to reset, programs that control and regulate not just the muscles and tendons of the body but different functionsof the organs and nervous system.(iii)

Acupuncturists are trained to identify specific acupuncture points that will help address a patient's symptoms or condition. Modern research has confirmed that the most effective points to treat are those that are "active"—meaning they show increased neural activity or inflammation when palpated, they also measure a lower electrical resistance.

For example, in a study on 70 cases of gastric ulcers, researchers divided two groups, in group A each subjects different unique "active" points that related to the condition were identified, only these active points were treated and in group B points treated from Traditional Chinese medicine (T.C.M.) protocol for gastric ulcers.

The results were that the subjects in group A all had a significant reduction in symptoms and their ulcers healed and stomach restore normal function, subjects in group B did not have consistent or uniformed results with some getting reduction of symptoms and healing with other having little to no positive changes.

The key takeaway is that acupuncture’s success depends on the acupuncturist finding the right active or inflamed points for each individual for each condition, similar experiments with digestive, Gynecological and immune conditions confirm the same findings. (iv)

The number of acupuncture treatments needed to address a condition depends on the nature and the severity of the issue, in general:

Acute conditions less than 3 months old (such as recent injuries or mild pain) may improve after just a few treatments.

Chronic conditions (such as long-standing pain or illness) often require at least 6 or more sessions to see lasting results.

Recommend frequency of treatments should be a least once per week until symptoms are better, if pain is severe two to three times per week is better the condition improves. Once symptoms are under control the frequency of treatments can be reduced, and occasional "maintenance" sessions may be recommended to keep symptoms at bay.

A person should never feel discomfort from the needles during a treatment and should tell the acupuncturist so it can be adjusted, it is normal for a person to deeply relax or fall asleep during the treatment. The relaxed feeling can continue with the patient for hours to weeks after the treatment. Sensations of floating, euphoria, tingling and heaviness can be felt around the acupuncture points during the treatment are normal to feel.

The reduction of pain may be felt immediately in the acupuncture session and may continue to reduce for several days after, acute conditions of pain may reduce permanently after each treatment not to return unless reinjured. Chronic and severe pain may take a several treatments to feel any significant changes in pain and relief may last only for several days but with ongoing treatment performed the intensity of pain reduces more, releif lasts longer and the pain begins to return less severe after each treatment.

Before a treatment it is important not to fast and to have eaten at least 8 hours before hand or low blood sugar symptoms light headiness can occur immediately after, it is recommended not to do any vigorous exercise for at least 24 hours after an acupuncture session, individuals should not do any activities that aggravate the condition until improved.

One of the most common concerns for newcomers is if acupuncture hurts, the thought of needles might sound intimidating, but acupuncture is generally considered to be a painless therapy. At AcupunctureClermont, we use high-quality, ultra-thin needles made in Japan and Korea,which are designed for comfort.

When the needle is inserted into the point a sligth pinch or pressure on the skin may be felt for secound, after there should be no pain or discomfort from the needle when in position.

Many patients report feeling a mild sensation, such as a slight tingling or warmth, when the needles are inserted, in some cases, but most people forget them and feel a deep sense of relaxation or even sleep during the treatment.

Acupuncuture is safe to use with any type of medication, to use during pregnancy or whilst on going I.V.F. treatment in fact acupuncture is very effective to help treat fertility and also used to improve the sucess of I.V.F working. Acupuncture treats many issues that occur through out pregnancy from morning sickness, Brackston's hicks contractions, lower back pain and prepare for birth.

Acupuncture is very safe when performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner. At Acupuncture Clermont, we adhere to the highest standards of safety, including using only disposable needles and following strict infection control practices.

Our acupuncturist, is trained to recognize to work with other therapies and medications and will refer you for further care if necessary.

Acupuncture offers a natural, safe drug-free way to manage pain, stress and address a variety of conditions. Whether you are looking to treat a specific ailment or simply reboot your mind and body, acupuncture could be an effective and holistic option.

If you are new to acupuncture, rest assured that Acupuncture Clermont practices safe, evidence-based Acupuncture and natural therapies with a rich history and modern scientific backing. With regular treatments, you can expect to experience improvements in both mental, physical and functional well-being.

If you’re interested in giving acupuncture a try, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a consultation to learn more about the benifits of Acupuncutre.