What is acupuncture? 

 

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of medicine which has been used in China for the last 3000 years. Its effectiveness is now accepted in various countries including New Zealand.

Acupuncture focuses on treating the person, along with the disease. The acupuncturist looks at the patient as a whole, considering the cause of the illness and the imbalance in the body causing it. With its unique system of diagnosis, an acupuncturist will ask not only details of the immediate problem but also take a case history of past illnesses, familial tendencies, and aim to determine a complete picture of the patient’s health. In this way acupuncture has always been used as a preventative medicine and can bring positive benefits for many different conditions. 

 

How it works: 

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) describes pathways of energy flowing through the body, carrying nourishment and information to all tissues and organs. Disease occurs when something disrupts the normal flow of life force. The role of the acupuncturist is to restore the normal flow of life forces and re-establish health. 

Research has suggested that acupuncture can help promote the production of natural healing substances to relieve pain, regulate nerve transmission, enhance the immune system, regulate hormones and blood flow, release natural anti-inflammatories, relax muscle spasm and elevate mood. 

 

Will it hurt?:

 

Most new patients are amazed how painless acupuncture can be. However, when the correct stimulus of the needle has been obtained the patient may feel some heaviness, distention, tingling or electric sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected energy pathway or meridian. 

 

Treatment 

 

Treatment by acupuncture consists of the insertion of fine needles into a few carefully selected points on the body. The number of needles used varies from two or three to ten or more, and they are left in place for an average of thirty minutes. The total number of treatments required depends on the patient and the condition being treated. 

There is no age limit for treatment. It is important to advise the practitioner if you are pregnant, but pregnancy does not preclude acupuncture or its benefits. 

Needle sterilization practiced by registered acupuncturists complies with standards set by the New Zealand Department of Health.

 

Acupuncturists are not able to process new ACC claims, so if you feel your injury may be covered under ACC and want to have Acupuncture treatment, you will need to see one of our Osteopaths or Physiotherapists first who can initiate a claim. If you have already put a claim in with another practice, please bring along the relevant ACC details.

 

 

What is Tui Na?

Tui Na is a 2000 year old Chinese hands-on body treatment literally translated to mean “pinch and pull”.

Tui Na is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine used to treat a specific area of disharmony in your body to re-

establish harmonious flow of Qi (“chee”) 

 

What to expect?

As Tui Na takes a holistic approach, your practitioner will establish a treatment plan by considering the whole of

the person including your pulse, your tongue, mental and social factors. 

Considerations of your treatment plan will go beyond the symptoms of any illness and will include a thorough

background consultation.  A number of questions will be asked of you, and while some questions may seem

irrelevant, each question is designed to aid us to diagnose and individualise your treatment plan. This may

include combining a number of treatment methods such as cupping, Gua Sha or moxibustion to maximise the

effectiveness of your treatment.    

Despite similarities with other forms of massage, Tui Na is designed to be medically therapeutic rather than for

relaxation. Just like other forms of massage, you may feel a little tender after your treatment. It is widely reported

that the overarching benefits of Tui Na far outweigh any short-lived tenderness.

 

What can Tui Na treat?

Tui Na offers a wide range of benefits to your body and your mind. Tui Na promotes well-being and the body's

ability to heal itself and is particularly effective treating:

 Joint and muscle pain

 Ankle and wrist pain

 Sports injuries

 Stress and Insomnia

 Neck pain and frozen shoulder

 Low energy and poor circulation

 Back pain and sciatica

 Digestive disorders

 Rheumatism and arthritis

 

Pediatric Tui Na

Tui Na is also used as a gentle alternative to acupuncture for the treatment of infants and children. We can teach

basic techniques to parents/guardians in order for you to be able to reinforce the basics at home.

Pediatric Tui Na can help with conditions such as:

 Digestive disorders

 Lack of appetite

 Fever 

 Nightmares

 Bed-wetting

 Respiratory disorders