Getting the Point - Acupuncture in Auckland

English Index Acupuncture & Health The Treatment FAQ Acupuncture points to post-op comfort Acupuncture At Work And Play Acupuncture Stops Sickness Surprising Acupuncture Side Effect H E A L T H: Acupuncture may help kids’ nasal allergies Acupuncture gets a face lift and much more Acupuncture for kids Acupuncture is effective against osteoarthritis Acupuncture aids relief for knee arthritis Energy of acupuncturist's needles may ease chronic pain Happy ever after Prozac? Scientific Support for Alternative Medicine Acupuncture Stops Sickness Acupuncture in Auckland Where Are We?

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Getting the point

Acupuncture has quietly become mainstream. Suddenly there's nothing remotely alternative about being a human pincushion in the name of good health.
Why the transformation of perception from way-out to so-in? Because, quite simply, this ancient Chinese practise works.
Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system. It affects blood circulation, blood pressure, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, as well as secretion of gastric acids and production of red and white cells. It also stimulate the release of hormones and neuro-transmitters that help the body respond to injury and stress.
Chinese medicine is based on the concept of meridians, or channels, which belongs to different internal organs. If energy is blocked, or flowing too fast or too slow, it causes problems.
Practitioners work with approximately 400 points on the human body, each corresponding to a function or organ in the body.
At a first consultation the patient's pulse is taken, their tongue examined, abdomen felt and a detailed history is taken. With little discomfort, fine disposable stainless steel needles (1-5cm long) are then positioned into precise acupuncture points to treat the condition.
Practioners of acupuncture also use heat, pressure, suction or impulses of electromagnetic energy to stimulate the points to correct any imbalances in the "qi" (pronounced chee), or moving life energy in the body to restore health.
The sensation is described as "achy", "slightly itchy" and sometimes a feeling of heaviness. Others feel nothing at all.
Joan Campbell, a medical doctor who has specialised in traditional Chinese medicine, uses acupuncture to treat a range of health problems at her Remuera clinic.
"Most of the conditions I looked after as a general practitioner and GP obstetrician, I now treat using traditional Chinese acupuncture," she says.
Whereas western medicine focuses on treating symptoms, Chinese medicine treats the whole person and tries to understand why the illness or symptom has occurred.
"It's about treating the root of imbalances that happen in people's lives at all levels - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Chinese medicine is a very compassionate medicine."
Golding Yu runs the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Natural Healthcare Centre, in Grey Lynn and Onehunga.
"We treat most conditions, unless they need an operation. Many of our patients have tried western medicine and other therapies. They come here as a last choice."
Yu says many patients have problems such as chronic fatigue syndrome and viral infections. Traditional Chinese herbal medicines are sometimes prescribed. "It's a bit like antibiotics, but herbal. It is effective for treating bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungus."
Yu says the "pre and post baby tune-up" is popular. "Acupuncture treatment four-and-a-half weeks before delivery makes labour much faster and easier, less painful and less dangerous."
Because acupuncture treats the mind and body as a whole, it is also effective for psychological healing. Grief, marital breakup stress, depression, panic and anxiety all respond.
"There is good evidence it makes a significant different," says Campbell.

Acupuncture can assist
* Musculo-skeletal problems
* Respiratory condition - asthma, colds, bronchitis.
* Neurological conditions - Bells palsy, shingles, stroke
* infertility, menstrual problems, endometriosis, menopause.
* Pain relief
* Grief reaction, stress, marital break-ups.

- Sye Crake

Sunday Star Times - About Town - April 10, 2005