JQR Physiotherapy

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A time-honoured medicine

Of all the traditional treatment systems available in Australia, acupuncture is by far the most respected and has achieved wide-spread acceptance as an effective form of health care, including formal recognition by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Acupuncture is part of an integrated system of primary health care, known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), that originated in China over 5000 years ago. It is one of the oldest and most long standing health care systems in the world. Today, TCM draws upon the substantial body of knowledge developed over thousands of years of clinical practice and intellectual endeavour as well as scientific research to treat health problems, and restore health and physiological balance. It is a holistic form of medicine that considers all aspects of a person’s life when making a diagnosis.

The fundamental principle of TCM is to restore and maintain the body’s ideal internal balance to treat ailments, prevent illnesses, and promote general well being. It achieves this by using techniques such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui na massage, cupping, gua sha (spooning), moxibustion (heat therapy), lifestyle and dietary advice.


A safe & effective health care

Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine sterile needles into specific sites along the body meridians. Stimulating these points clear energy blockages and balance flow of qi through the body. As a natural form of healthcare, acupuncture:

• has very few side effects;
  
• treats the underlying cause of the illness as well as the symptoms;
  
• provides a wholistic approach to treatment of illness, linking body, mind and emotions;
  
• assists in the prevention of illness as well as the maintenance of general wellbeing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is acupuncture safe?

Yes. Only single-use disposable, stainless steel needles are used. Side effects are extremely rare.

Is acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and do not cause the sharp pain that is associated with injections or blood tests. Many patients don’t feel the needle insertion and the desired needle sensation is a dull ache or ‘heavy/distending’ feeling around the needle.

How does acupuncture work?
Your body is a dynamic environment of interrelating and interconnecting networks. Western science focuses on the obvious networks that involve the endocrine, nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. In contrast, TCM has mapped out the subtle networks and interrelationships that show that our bodies are dynamic cellular ecosystems. Computer imaging of the brain during acupuncture treatment shows dynamic activity occurring in many regions of the brain. Modern research has shown that acupuncture stimulates the brain to release the body’s own healing chemicals (endorphins), and activates the immune and endocrine systems.

Can acupuncture be combined with Western Medicine?
Generally, yes. However, it is important to inform your practitioner of any medications and/or supplements that you are taking.


How can acupuncture help you?

Musculoskeletal conditions eg.osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis*, sports injuries, back pain*, neck pain*, shoulder pain, tennis elbow*, repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains*, sciatica*, frozen shoulder*, knee pain*

Painful conditions eg. headaches*, migraine, post operative pain*, dental pain*, TMJ dysfunction*

Neurological conditions eg. trigeminal neuralgia*, peripheral neuropathy, sequale of stroke*, Bell’s palsy, facial palsy (early stage)

Women’s Health eg. PMS, irregular periods, heavy periods, painful periods*, endometriosis, infertility, morning sickness*, menopausal syndrome, induction of labour*, breech presentation*

Ear, Nose and Throat eg. sinusitis, allergic rhinitis* including hayfever*, sore throat, mouth ulcers, gingivitis, toothache, tinnitus, Menierre’s disease

Respiratory: bronchitis, bronchial asthma
Emotional eg. stress, essential hypertension*, hypotension*, anxiety, panic attacks, depression*, irritability, insomnia

Gastro-intestinal disorders eg. bloating, poor digestion, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and acid reflux, constipation*, diarrhoea*, biliary colic*, renal colic*, nausea and vomiting*, loss of appetite, gastric/duodenal ulcers*, chronic ulcerative colitis, gastritis*

Other eg. scars, cold* and flu, allergies and immunity, gout, fatigue, skin disorders, adverse reactions to chemotherapy*, smoking addiction*

* World Health Organisation diseases, symptoms or conditions for which acupuncture has been proved through controlled trials to be an effective treatment. “WHO states that acupuncture can treat these illnesses”.
http://www.who.int/en/

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