What is Acupuncture and How Does it work?
Acupuncture is a technique used in East Asian Medicine, which stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal by inserting thin needles in specific points on the body and then occasionally applying heat and/or stimulation to those needles.
We can attempt to explain acupuncture through both Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern science, although much of how it works still remains a mystery. Traditionally, we know that the whole body is made up of channels called meridians, which flow throughout the body carrying blood and fluids to organs and tissues. This flow can be likened to a river carrying water downstream. At times, from stress, injury, or other environmental factors, the river gets blocked or damned up, and this causes pain or disease in the body. Acupuncture needles stimulate flow of qi, fluids and blood in the meridians and therefore can open the damn and free the natural flow of substances in the body again.
With modern science we can see that the meridians are closely linked to the pathways of the nervous system as well as the fascia. Thus, needling along these pathways stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals and hormones into the blood stream which can influence pain and a number of the body’s many internal mechanisms such as digestion, sleep, reproduction, and emotions. It is likely that acupuncture actually works on the level of embryology and cell specification to create these changes.
Is Acupuncture Effective?
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine have been proven healing modalities for over 3,000 years. We recently have seen many RCT (random, controlled trials) where the efficacy of Acupuncture is clear. The WHO has recommended Acupuncture for the following categories and examples of disorders:
Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat disorders
Circulatory: High and low blood pressure
Gastrointestinal: Ulcer, IBS,colitis, reflux
Orthopedic: Sciatica, tennis elbow, arthritis, chronic back/neck pain
Neurological: Migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, nocturnal enuresis
Respiratory: Common cold, sinusitis, acute tonsilitis
Gynecology: Infertility, dysmenorrhoea, morning sickness, labor induction
What is Acupuncture for Fertility?
In recent years we have seen a steady stream of research citing markedly improved fertility for both men and women using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines. Because acupuncture and herbal medicine greatly affect the nervous, endocrine, and circulatory systems, balancing the body as a whole, conception is more likely to occur. Specifically, acupuncture and herbal medicines have been shown to:
Lengthen a short luteal phase
Increase the thickness of the endometrial lining
Promote ovulation
Increase cervical mucus
Balance hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, AMH, LH and FSH
Reduce stress
Reduce inflammation
For the post-partum mother, acupuncture, herbs, rest and diet, are vital parts of her care, as well as for the care of the newborn. Gráinne has extensive experience with acupuncture for fertility and post-partum care.
What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?
The first medicines that humans ever consumed were herbs, natural plants and minerals. In fact, most medicines that are human made today are actually based on plants and their primary constituents, which are extracted and replicated chemically. However, in Chinese Herbal medicine, we use whole parts of plants, not only chemical extractions. This practice is what causes herbal therapy to have very few or no side-effects compared with modern pharmaceuticals. During your visit, a unique formula will be prescribed for you, made up of between two and 20 herbs, all acting in perfect harmony and suited to your constitution and illness. Granules are used in Gráinne’s pharmacy for patient ease in preparation, so a tea of your herbs can be easily prepared at home in minutes.
What is Included in East Asian Medicine Besides Acupuncture?
Tui-Na: Chinese physical, muscular, and bone manipulation
Diet and Lifestyle recommendations
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Qi Gong exercises for rehabilitation
Meditation guidance
