Questions and Answers

 

We are asked many questions about Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. We have answered some of the more common questions in this page, but there may well be questions or concerns you may have that require a more specific answer.

 

If you have a general health question to which you cannot find sufficient information on our site - please post your query in our forum titled 'Your Say' and a member of staff will do their best to offer advice. Also our forum allows other users to post comments, sugestions and experiences that may help you.

 

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What are the components of Chinese Medicine

Traditionally, Chinese Medicine has two basic disciplines, acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

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What is acupuncture

Acupuncture is an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. It became popular in the West in the early Seventies, and is now one of the most widely recognised complementary therapies. It is an integral part of the rapid growth of complementary therapy in the UK and abroad. Acupuncture is an holistic approach to full body health based on over 2000 years of developments and refinements in the Far East. The skill of the acupuncturist lies in their ability to make a traditional diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony. The exact pattern and degree of disharmony is individual to each patient, and acupuncture aims to treat patients with a personalised treatment plan.

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How does acupuncture work

Fine needles are inserted at points around the body to stimulate or suppress the flow of "Chi" - the enigmatic life-force sometimes described as "electro-chemical" or "electro-magnetic" energy. There are about 500 acupoints along 12 energy meridians. 100 of these acupoints are most commonly used. Acupuncture aims to restore the balance of chi energy - a state of equilibrium when Yin and Yang are in harmony. Acupuncture may help to relieve pain (from injuries or migraine, for example) and suppress cravings. It is also widely used for stress relief. Although the needles used in acupuncture don’t hurt, some people are nevertheless put off by their use.

Chinese Medicine is based on the theory that all disorders and illnesses arise from an imbalance. This imbalance can be caused by problems arising from internal organs or the stagnation of energy circulating in the body. The name for the energy is "meridians". When the meridians or energy channels become blocked, the resulting imbalance of the body can cause illness. A trained Chinese doctor will be able to clear the energy block through acupuncture, and so restore the body's balance. The physician will also seek to strengthen the organs that were giving problems through Chinese Herbal Therapy. Some people have acupuncture as a preventative measure to strengthen their constitution, or because they feel unwell without being "ill" in the Western sense.

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What is the main difference between Chinese medicine and Western
medicine

Chinese medicine treats the cause of the disorder, and Western medicine the symptom of the disorder. For example, two people may have the same symptoms of eczema, but the cause of the complaint may be completely different: one patient may have an imbalance of his or her liver, the other an imbalance of his or her spleen. A Western doctor may prescribe the same medicine for the ailment, but the Chinese doctor will treat the underlying cause of eczema and in this case, one patient will be treated for a liver imbalance and the other for a spleen imbalance.

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How does a Chinese doctor make a diagnosis

A Chinese doctor will ask you to stick out your tongue whilst probably taking your pulse and from this he or she will be able to make a diagnosis. The condition of your tongue, its overall colour and the coating will tell the doctor about the condition of your internal organs. Each of us has 125 different pulse rates to which Chinese doctors have been trained to be sensitive. From these pulse rates the doctor will again be able to tell the state of your internal organs.

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Is acupuncture painful

Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to needles used in blood tests and injections. They are much finer, and are solid rather than hollow. Most people find acupuncture a pleasant and deeply relaxing experience. There should be no pain during the insertion of needles if the doctor is fully trained and experienced. When the practitioner carefully inserts the needles, you may feel a slight tingling sensation. This indicates that the treatment is beginning to have some effect. Sometimes you may feel numbness at the point of entry or an energy transfer along the meridian to another part of the body. Needles are inserted either for a second or two, or left in place for up to 20 minutes, depending on the effect required.

After acupuncture, you will feel relaxed or even slightly sleepy, so please take care not to tackle anything strenuous for a few hours following your treatment. The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition: many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, better appetite and sleep, as well as an enhanced sense of overall well being.

It is strongly advised that you make sure that the doctor who treats you is fully qualified. AcuMedic insists that their doctors have received at least 7 years training in Chinese medicine at established Chinese medical schools in China, including training in Western medicine.

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How can acupuncture help me

Below are some of the problems and diseases commonly treated by acupuncture:

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What will happen on my first visit

Your first consultation may be longer than subsequent sessions. The acupuncturist needs to assess your general state of health in order to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and give you the most effective treatment. You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far. You will also be asked about your medical history and that of your close family. The practitioner will also ask you about your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and your general emotional state.

To discover how the energies are flowing in your body, the acupuncturist is likely to feel your pulse, noting the quality, rhythm and strength. The structure, colour and coating of your tongue also gives a good guide to physical health.

Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the acupuncturist can select the appropriate treatment. The aim is to discover which energy channels need adjusting for your specific complaint to improve, and which require treatment to boost your overall energy and vitality.

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Are there any alternatives to acupuncture

For people who are not comfortable with the idea of having needles inserted into the body, there are various alternative techniques based on the principles of acupuncture.

These chiefly include:

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Does acupuncture conflict with conventional Western medicine

Acupuncture can be used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease. As with any treatment, it may be important to mention certain details about your current state of health, as this will assist the practitioner in his full diagnosis of your condition.

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What should I do before treatment

Try not to have a big meal within a hour of your appointment as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse. Also avoid alcohol and food and drinks which alter the colour of your tongue just before you have your treatment.

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What about needle sterilisation

All members of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) must observe a code of practice which lays down stringent standards of hygiene and sterilisation of needles and other equipment. These procedure have been approved by the Department of Health, and provide protection against the transmission of infectious diseases. AcuMedic Centre complies exactly with the current advice given on Health and Safety.

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What is Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine has evolved over 4000 years as a powerful and accurate tool regulating the internal organs and immune system. It assists greatly in helping many skin conditions. All the ingredients used by proper Chinese herbalists are natural, and unlike most Western drugs, have no side-effects. Over 1000 herbs are used in Chinese medicine and the ingredients all come from the natural flora and fauna of China. A properly trained Chinese doctor will be able to prescribe a mixture of different herbs to treat an individual's illness. No two patient prescriptions will be the exactly same, as a herbal prescription is tailored to treat the specific ailment of the individual, unlike Western prescriptions which are standardised by the pharmaceutical companies.

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How does one take Chinese Medicine

Traditionally, Chinese herbs are boiled in a soup or as tea to extract the essence of the herbs, which is then drunk by the patient. However, AcuMedic has invented the concept of the herbal capsule to make Chinese Herbal Therapy more accessible and convenient for busy modern lifestyles.

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Is my diet important

A healthy lifestyle in general is important. Diet, exercise, fresh air, deep breathing, enough sleep, and relaxation all contribute to good physical and mental health.

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Is Chinese medicine unpleasant in taste

Most people find that tea is at least a little bitter and sometimes unpleasant to taste. Honey can be added as a sweetener, but it is generally accepted that the effects of the medicine far outweigh the sometimes bitter taste.

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How long will I need treatment

Chronic cases can take many years to develop, and it is therefore likely that they will also take quite sometime to respond to treatment and start improving. It is important to allow the treatment time to take effect rather than to expect an instant "miracle cure". The total number of treatments will vary from patient to patient, and your practitioner will discuss your own specific case with you.

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Is it true that you use the bones of tigers in medicines

Traditionally ingredients such as tiger bone and tiger genitals were used in Chinese Herbal Medicine. AcuMedic considers the use of these ingredients unethical and, even if they were legal, would not consider exploitation of any endangered species. AcuMedic also does not use traditional ingredients such as rhino or antelope horn, the gall bladder of the monkey or the gall bladder of the bear.

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Should I continue taking medicine prescribed by my GP

YES. Chinese medicine in general does not conflict with Western medicine, and may be used as a complementary therapy. However, please inform your AcuMedic doctor about any current medications you are taking.

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What is the role of Chinese Herbal with acupuncture

Chinese herbs are said to regulate the internal organs and the immune system. With or without acupuncture, Chinese herbs can be a powerful therapy.

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Why Chinese medicine? - a closing note

According to a survey in the Times newspaper, over ninety percent of British doctors would recommend acupuncture to their patients as a complementary form of treatment. More than a thousand doctors practice a form of acupuncture in the UK. Elsewhere in Europe, doctors who practice acupuncture are in even greater numbers that in the UK, with France numbering more than 5000 and Germany numbering over 4000. Acupuncture is becoming a modern medicine science, with the advances of electro-acupuncture, laser acupuncture and TENS Pain Management.  Acupuncture is also fast becoming accepted as a mainstream form of treatment, and the AcuMedic Centre is a long established leader in this field having been founded in 1972.