Acupuncture is one of the most widely accepted alternative therapies in Australia. Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture restores balance in the body by inserting fine needles into specific points which allows the body to heal itself. Acupuncture South Perth is very safe and effective when performed by a qualified and skilled Physiotherapist. Dry needling is a term used for Muscular Acupuncture and is helpful for releasing muscular tension. It is different from Chinese Acupuncture in placement and purpose of needling, but they are the same needles.
The major component of traditional acupuncture is “vital energy” or Qi (pronounced Chi) which circulates throughout the body via a complex system of pathways called meridians. When a person’s Qi becomes unbalanced it can cause illness. Acupuncture aims to correct the flow of Qi which restores balance to the body, allowing the body to heal. In contrast to Chinese Acupuncture, Physiotherapists is Australia typically practice dry needling acupuncture acting by improving blood flow and desensitising tight bands of muscle tissue.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture Como uses very fine, sterile needles which are inserted into specific pressure points on the body specific to the area needing treatment. Some people feel a slight warmth or tingling in the area, some people feel a small twitch in the muscle and some feel very little at all. The number of sessions needed will depend on the condition and how long it has been a problem. An acupuncture session with a Physiotherapist can vary in length. Typically, a session will last about 30 minutes and may include some education and advice about exercises to complement the treatment. After a treatment, you may feel energised, or even sleepy. Acupuncture South Perth aims to restore balance in the muscles and many people see an improvement within a few sessions or less.
Side Effects
With any treatment, there is a small risk of side effects. While acupuncture is very safe when performed by a qualified practitioner, there are some risks to be aware of. The most common risks are a small spot of blood from the needle site. There is also a slight risk of these sites causing very small bruises. These are usually not painful post-treatment as the needles are so fine and you would probably equate the amount of blood to a shaving ‘nick’. These effects are rare however and recover quickly usually without affecting the outcome of the treatment. These risks can be minimised by seeing an experienced Physiotherapist.
What Conditions Can Acupuncture Como Treat?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises acupuncture as an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions. Some of these conditions include:
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Headaches
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Joint sprains
- Tennis elbow
- Migraines
- Knee pain
- Insomnia
- Digestive problems
- Respiratory conditions
- Vertigo physiotherapy
- Stress and anxiety
Most of these conditions also apply to dry needling although the application is slightly different as mentioned above.
Acupuncture and Stress
Stress often plays a major role in many diseases. Acupuncture is shown to be very effective in the treatment and management of stress and anxiety. Dry needling helps relax the muscles and helps manage the day to day effects of stress and anxiety. Many people see results after the first session, and with regular treatments, dry needling acupuncture can be a great way of managing the muscle tension associated with stress and anxiety.
Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine and has been around for thousands of years. Dry needling acupuncture used by Physiotherapists is used for managing muscle tension and is a safe and effective form of treatment for many conditions ranging from acute pain episodes to acute injuries to chronic conditions. Dry needling acupuncture should always be performed by a qualified Como Physio as if done well this can be effective in helping the body to heal itself. To find out more about acupuncture South Perth and whether it can help your condition, contact the friendly team at Integrity Physio.
