New Farm Acupuncture and Natural Therapies

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What Is Modern Acupuncture?

Modern acupuncture is the merger of traditional acupuncture and a scientific understanding of the body. It is based on a knowledge of acupuncture’s traditional concepts and on the study of human anatomy and physiology.

Often, traditional and modern frameworks speak of the same things, but use different language. For example, acupuncture points often correspond to what western medicine calls myofacial trigger points. Also, the idea of acupuncture meridians shares many functional qualities with the medical concepts of the connective tissue matrix and reflex arcs in the body.


Why Do We Practice Modern Acupuncture?

Sometimes modern or traditional concepts are able to complement each other, bridging gaps to better understand the whole human being; physically, mentally and spiritually. For example, science has discovered that happiness affects the immune system, and that chemical neurotransmitters in your body have a relationship with how you feel and how you perform.

These concepts are complemented and reinforced by traditional acupuncture knowledge – ancient acupuncture theory describes in detail how your emotions can affect your health. Happiness and holistic wellbeing have been the ultimate goal in Traditional Chinese Medicine for millennia!

Modern Acupuncture brings modern concepts together with the ancient, to find the very best way to treat the individual.


Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy

What Is It?

Acupuncture point injection therapy involves the injection of small amounts of saline solution or sterile water administered by qualified acupuncturists. Like acupuncture, fine needles are inserted into acupuncture points or trigger points just under the skin or into muscles. As the name suggests, this therapy evolved from acupuncture and has long been a therapy used by acupuncturists in China.


How Does it Work?

Acupuncture point injection therapy may work in several ways. Injection of saline or sterile water into acupuncture points activates them in a similar way to the insertion of acupuncture needles. The major difference being, the bolus of saline or sterile water can activate the acupuncture point for a longer period of time enhancing the therapeutic effect.

Saline solution is an isotonic solution containing the same salt concentrations as our cells, blood and interstitial fluid (the fluid between our cells). In cases of chronic illness or acute injury the interstitial fluid may become congested with the waste products of inflammation from injured tissue, preventing the efficient nutrient and waste product transfer between the cells and the bloodstream. The injection of saline may improve the quality of the interstitial fluid allowing nutrient and waste product transfer between the cells and bloodstream to occur efficiently again. Saline, being pH neutral, may have its own particular effects on alkalising local connective tissues, and possibly optimising conditions for the body’s self healing mechanisms.

Acupuncture point injection therapy does not simply suppress or mask pain, but rather prompts the body to treat the cause of the pain via self healing mechanisms.


How many treatments will I need?

Many patients do notice a positive response to their pain levels shortly after treatment.
However most conditions require a number of treatment sessions for the full benefits to take effect.


Does it hurt?

Most people, especially those who are apprehensive about injections are surprised how easy and quickly these injections can be given. In fact, saline injections generally should not be compared with many injections given in conventional medicine. The needles used are very fine and are more like acupuncture needles. The injections are typically painless or only mildly uncomfortable.


Dry Needling

What Is Dry Needling?

Originally the term “dry needling” was used to differentiate inserting an acupuncture needle (dry needle) from an injection of fluid (wet needle). All of the non-injection techniques we use in the clinic fit under the catagory of “dry-needling”.


Who Can Benefit From a Dry Needling Treatment?

In recent times “dry needling” or just “needling” have become terms used by people who wish to use acupuncture but have not completed the full course of study. These short courses may be as little as one weekend and are usually taught without the context of traditional Chinese medical theory and diagnosis. Commonly physiotherapists and massage therapists who use this technique use the term “dry needling” rather than acupuncture.

These practitioners are not accredited by the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) to practice acupuncture. AACMA accredited acupuncturists are required to complete at least a 4 year full time degree in acupuncture and health science.

If you have had “dry needling” please understand that this is not a reflection of a true acupuncture treatment.

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