5 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE

Are you considering trying acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been around for over 2,000 years and has been gaining popularity in Britain since the 1970’s. The BBC reported the Queen’s fascination with acupuncture way back in 1999, and today the NHS recommend it for many conditions.

However there is still much confusion around acupuncture, here we dispel five common myths:-

1) Acupuncture is painful

Needles are used but they really aren’t painful, in fact it can be so relaxing that many patients fall asleep during a session.

The needles used are tiny, nothing like injections, and while there may be a slight pinch on insertion, deep relaxation typically occurs within minutes.

2) Acupuncture doesn’t work

There is a growing body of evidence to support the effectiveness of acupuncture for a range of conditions.

The National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE) recommend it for chronic pain, headaches and migraines but it’s success reaches much further with studies demonstrating it’s benefits for many ‘difficult to treat’ chronic conditions. Information can be found on the British Acupuncture Council website (acupuncture.org.uk)

The key to getting the most out of your treatments is to talk to your practitioner about how many sessions may be required for benefit.

3) It’s a mystical form of voodoo

There is nothing mystical or magical about acupuncture. It is a clinical modality designed to help balance the body’s various interconnected systems.

Modern research studies believe that acupuncture encourages homeostasis by stimulating nerves in the body that then send signals to the brain and other organs to release hormones and chemicals including beta-Endorphins that can relieve pain.

4)

Becoming an acupuncturist requires little or no training

This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. To become a fully trained acupuncturist registered with the British Acupuncture Council (www. acupuncture.org.uk) a practitioner must have trained for at least 3 years and obtained an acupuncture degree or similar qualification with the relevant insurance.

Always ask your acupuncturist about the length of their acupuncture-specific training and if they are a member of a professional body such as the British Acupuncture council.

5) Acupuncture is just for pain

It is true that acupuncture does wonders for pain management. However, acupuncture has been shown to reduce other side-effects and conditions including dizziness, headaches and migraines, depression, insomnia, nausea, stress, anxiety, infertility and other gynaecological conditions, the list goes on.

One key benefit of acupuncture is that it can often help with those ‘difficult to treat’ chronic conditions that can make life miserable on a dayto-day basis.

This article was written by Kate Freemantle (www.christchurchacupuncture.co.uk). Kate is a long-standing member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 15 years’ experience. She always offers a free 15-minute consultation and can be contacted on 0788054593 or email kate@katefreemantle.co.uk