I am an acupuncturist, AMA

[WonkyFeelings]

I will answer this one in advance: I don’t love needles either but I love the results 😊

I am so interested in how it actually works! The whole thing is a mystery to me. I’ve not had it but my friend had a form or arthritis and said it really helped.

Sorry the question is: how does it work?

What an interesting job OP!

I have a question please...

I've had acupuncture previously for migraines- this was hugely helpful for a few weeks afterwards but never really fully prevented them. Really felt like I was floating in air with the relief from pain and nausea, so would like to return.
The place I went to made it prohibitively expensive as they'd only do this in 12 week blocks (pre paid in one chunk).

Is there a best method of maximising the benefits of a course of acupuncture? Or do some conditions just require routine /continual work?

”How does it work?” is the million dollar question! Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which mapped the body and its functionality in a different way to allopathic (Western) medicine. They identified the major organs of the body, assigned them functions based on a model influenced by observation of nature, and try to prevent and cure illness by restoring the body’s homeostasis.

Measured mechanisms involve activation of the parasympathetic system (rest and relaxation), activation of different areas of the brain (measured by fMRI), modulation of the immune system, and many others.

The actual mechanism of how insertion of needles in specific points achieve these results has not been explained in terms of allopathic medicine yet. Candidates are modulation of pain receptors, piezoelectricity travelling through the body’s fascia and there is a more left field theory about embryology too.

Not sure I’ve answered this correctly! 🤣

How long did your training take?

With a problem like this, we talk about the “root” and the “branch” of the problem. The branch is the symptoms, eg the migraine. When someone is in the middle of a flare up, we treat that.

But we also need to treat the root: what has happened in the patient’s body that led them to getting migraines? This is the really important thing to figure out and fix.

I a fully aware of how expensive acupuncture is (even though my tax return this year is quite pitiful), so have you considered finding a community acupuncture clinic near you? You would be treated in a room with other people, and pay a lot less.

Another thing is to get lifestyle recommendations from your acupuncturist. Chinese medicine is wonderful for self-care and self-maintenance and there is a lot you can do with the basics such as sleep, food and stress management.

I trained through a course accredited by the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB), which requires degree level training. This means either a degree or a licentiate of minimum three years.

Beware: acupuncture is not statutory regulated in the U.K., so anyone can call themselves an acupuncturist and there are some shady organisations offering three days training!

I gave it some thought a few years ago, but I couldn’t afford to take the time off to do the training. I love acupuncture, I find it very relaxing

I was going to ask you this, that given its not regulated, what are the qualifications and training standards you would recommend that clients look for when choosing an acupuncturist?

Do you think the acupuncture face lifts work?

Any help with PRP?

Nah, thought not.

I do know it works for certain things.

You just need the right person, just like a doctor,

Look for an acupuncturist that belongs to a reputable self-regulatory body. I belong to the largest one, the British Acupuncture Council, but there are other ones. Don’t be scared to ask your potential acupuncturist questions about their training, their insurance and their experience! A good acupuncturist will likely have spent tons of time (and money!) getting a good training and will be more than happy to provide this information.

Nothing to ask but I have to say I’ve been having acupuncture on my neck and shoulder and it’s been amazing! I have no idea how it works but it does!

The results won’t be as dramatic as Botox or AH, but you will get more “glow” because you also get a traditional acupuncture treatment for your health on top of the cosmetic acupuncture!

Pytiriasis Rubra Pilaris?

For any skin conditions I thoroughly recommend Chinese herbs over acupuncture. I’ve seen some amazing results! You can check the RCHM (Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine) for a practitioner in your area.

So glad to hear 😊

Is there a link between the area of the hand between thumb and forefinger and the throat?

Why did NHS stop using it when the results can be so amazing? My acupuncturist has been mor eknowledgeable than my GP!

Yes there is! The large intestine meridian passes through both.

Oh, don’t get me started on that…

I believe we were collateral damage in the backlash against homeopathy. But that is my personal opinion.

There is an ongoing argument about “evidence based medicine”. If I get into that, I could be still here talking about it until tomorrow! Suffice to say, there is plenty of evidence on acupuncture for many conditions.

Also, when the NHS was offering it, this was through a terrible setup: a six sessions course of 20 minute sessions. Most of the time it takes me 20 minutes to do the consultation with my patients before I get to put needles in.

Hi OP,

Amazed you know what PRP is in its full name. Thanks!

I did go to Harley Street and had to boil up those awful herbs... Didn't help. Sorry.
Chinese medicine.

I'm thinking it's more based on psychological stuff, like most illnesses.

I do believe in Acupunture though. Helped me with getting rid of endometriosis, as well as many other natural healing modalities.

Acupuncture is amazing, been around for 3000-odd years.

More power to you doing it! Thanks for answering my question.

Thank you. For years my family have told me I'm can't be experiencing what I do.
I find that when a long sleeve rubs on that part of my hand I feel an itch in my throat. I usually become aware of the throat, then spot the sleeve. Does that mean that my intestine is also being affected?

I've recently had my first session via the NHS and have felt very disassociated since. It's most strange and I'm reluctant to go back. Any idea why this has happened, OP? I had two needles in each ear.

Do you think people understand the difference between dry needling and acupuncture OP? I've seen lots of people offering 'acupuncture' when it really isn't.

Is it okay to do it on yourself? I recently had it via an nhs pain management clinic. 3 sessions and that included how to do it yourself. Would the nurses be highly trained? They seem to do the same points / places for everyone.