Chinese or Medical Acupuncture, whats the difference?

Acupuncture has been widely practiced in China and other countries for centuries. The theories regarding how it works may seem strange and outdated to us.

But scientific research shows acupuncture works. Many healthcare professionals find it helpful in the management of pain, headaches, anxiety and depression and many other conditions.

In the West we use the term Medical Acupuncture to signify the integration of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture with current knowledge of normal and abnormal body function, allowing us to successfully treat people, often where orthodox western approaches have not worked.

Types of Acupuncture

Acupuncture& Dry Needling

Acupuncture involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body, this causes release of natural chemicals locally, pain responses are blocked within the spinal cord and endorphins released in the brain, modifying the experience of pain.

Dry needling is use of the same type of needle to target localised muscle "trigger points" that can cause specific pain patterns.

Ear or Auricular Acupressure using Vacarria Seeds

Auricular Acupuncture or Acupressure

In traditional Chinese acupuncture the use of needles inserted into specific points on the ears led to improvement in pain, health and disease elsewhere in the body.

Acupressure involves applying pressure again to specific areas of the ear using small seeds.

Electroacupuncture

Here needles are inserted in the same manner as for standard Acupuncture, but a low voltage current is passed through the needles, generally giving an enhanced benefit from therapy.