Western medical acupuncture is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, and the principles of evidence based medicine.
Acupuncture uses filiform needles that have rounded ends and resemble a thread or filament. These are different from hypodermic needles which are sharper and designed to cut tissue. Acupuncture involves the insertion needles through your skin at selected points on your body. The goal in western acupuncture is to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. The aim is to boost your body's natural painkillers.
Electro-acupuncture is often utilized to enhance the effect of traditional acupuncture
This may relieve pain by releasing endorphins, the body's natural pain-killing chemicals, and by affecting the part of the brain that governs serotonin, a brain chemical involved with mood.
Acupuncture is generally used to relieve pain, such as low back pain, or to manage acute and chronic conditions from osteoarthritis, headaches, or neck problems. In theory acupuncture may help to treat pain by stimulating natural chemical responses in tissue.
Acupuncture as a treatment tool has grown rapidly since the 1970's . There have been numerous research studies and it is utilized by main stream health professionals. Clinically we find different responses and variability between patients. We recommend this treatment tool be used as adjunctive and is best combined with other best practice treatment plans.