Treatments
The following treatments are offered through Liang Acupuncture Clinic:
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; it is a very good alternative to medicinal drugs.
Acupuncture aims to treat the person, rather than the disease. This means that the acupuncturist looks at the patient as a whole, finds the cause of the illness and the imbalance in the body causing it. In this way, acupuncture has always been used as a preventative approach – and may affect almost any illness positively.
MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion is the therapeutic method of applying the stimulation of heat. This heat is generated by the burning of the herb Artemisia, on or near acupuncture points. The process allows heat to penetrate the acupuncture channels and influence the circulation of blood and qi (pronounced ‘chee’ and loosely translated as energy). According to traditional Chinese medicine; certain conditions accumulate external cold and damp from the environment. This may result in stiffness or weakness in the joints/muscles. The use of moxibustion warms these areas, improves circulation, vastly relieves discomfort and may aid in the healing process.
CUPPING
Cupping is an ancient Chinese form of therapy in which a jar is applied to skin, usually (but not always) to the back, by way of creating a vacuum either through using a flame or a suction gun. The vacuum inside the jar draws the skin upward into the jar and will usually leave a very distinctive circular bruise when removed. These bruises are not usually painful and will clear up in a few days. Clinically, cupping is used to stimulate the flow of blood and to balance and realign the flow of qi, as well as to ‘clear toxins’ from the body. It is frequently used in the treatment of sport related injuries.
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
Chinese herbal medicine may be used as a part of the treatment in order to supplement the body’s functions and to speed up the healing process. Various plants are combined together to make a herbal formula. These are most commonly taken in pill form. Sometimes raw herbs may be used.
CHINESE DIETARY THERAPY
The Chinese dietary therapy has been practised in China for thousands of years. Chinese medicine considers different foods to contain varying energetic effects on the body – some foods are warming, some are cooling other may have a stimulating or on the contrary, sedative effect or may be drying or moistening. The Chinese medical practitioner may advise the patient on what to eat and what not to eat – and how to prepare food according to the season and the patient’s constitution, condition and lifestyle.
CONDITIONS TREATED
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in China to treat almost any illness effectively. The following list is an example of conditions treated based on recommendations made by the WHO- World Health Organisation.
-Muscular-skeletal: lower back pain, joint sprains, muscle strain, sciatica, arthritis, sport related injuries and sports performance enhancement.
-Respiratory: Sinus problems, hay fever, common cold or flu, asthma and bronchitis.
-Gastrointestinal: constipation, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, haemorrhoids, heartburn and reflux.
-Cardiovascular: angina, palpitations, high and low blood pressure.
-Women’s health: irregular or painful menstrual cycles, fertility disorders, premenstrual difficulties, menopausal symptoms.
-Pregnancy: morning sickness, breech baby, heartburn, lower back pain, preparation for labour
-Neurological: headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, shingles, Meniere’s disease, tinnitus, Bell’s Palsy, post-stroke syndrome and insomnia.
-Metabolic Disorders: chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal insufficiency and hormonal irregularities.
-Psychological disorders: post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression.
Men’s health: fertility issues, erectile dysfunction, prostate difficulties and hair loss.
-Other: Skin conditions and bladder disorders.
FAQ
Q: What is a needle treatment like?
A: Treatment by acupuncture consists of the insertion of very fine needles into a few carefully selected points on the body. The number of needles used varies, from two to three to ten or fifteen. They are generally left in place for an average of 30 minutes. The total number of treatments required depends of the constitution and the condition being treated. However, the treatments can range between four to eight sessions for most conditions. A typical treatment may include moxibustion, cupping, Chinese herbal medicine and Chinese dietary advice and/or Chinese remedial exercise. There is practically no age limit for treatment.
Q: How does it work?
A: The human body has pathways of vital energy flow – these are called meridians and these connect and transport nourishment/information to all organs and tissues. Imbalance disrupts and interferes with the flow of energy in these meridians leading to pain, weakness and illness. Acupuncture treatment is based not only on the manifestation of disease, but the underlying cause of the disharmony. Very fine needles are inserted into relevant points on the meridians to restore normal flow of energy and to improve the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Q: Will it hurt?
A: Acupuncture needles are very fine and are made of high quality materials – this allows a pain free insertion into the body. However if the correct stimulus of the needle has been achieved, the patient may feel some heaviness, dissention, tingling or electric sensation either around the needle or travelling up or down the affected energy pathway/meridian. If there is any discomfort, it is usually mild and more of a ‘tickle’. Patients are also advised to relax, as relaxed muscles receive needles with much more ease than tense muscles.
Q: I don’t like needles, can I still be treated?
A: Yes, if a person cannot accept or is afraid of needles, there are alternatives such as acupressure, moxibustion and cupping can be used and they are just as effective as acupuncture.
Q: What should I do after an acupuncture treatment?
A: Acupuncture may change the state of energy of the body and affects nerve and blood vessels as well as the tone within the muscles. For this reason, it is best to avoid heavy physical labour or stress for at least one day following a treatment. Avoidance of alcohol during this period is also recommended. Otherwise, no special precautions are necessary. Occasionally, some patients may note a brief worsening of the symptoms of the conditions – more commonly there is a short lived period of relief from a first treatment and this is consolidated with progressive treatments.
Q: Is acupuncture safe?
A: Yes, acupuncture is safe as it is done by fully trained, professional acupuncturists, who have the knowledge and skills to use needles safely and effectively. We ensure that only high quality, single use sterilised needles are used, and these are disposed of in a ‘sharps’ container. All sterilisation complies with the standards set by the New Zealand Department of Health.
Q: Are there any side effects?
A: No, there are not any adverse side effects. After treatment, you may feel more relaxed and calmer, if you are very run down and tired, you may feel the need to sleep. This is because your body is conserving its energy to heal the illness or injuries – it is part of the healing process and it is normal.
COST
1. Acupuncture treatment: Private: $110 per session.
ACC clients: $60 surcharge per session.
Should ACC decline your claim, then full charges apply.
2. Consultation for Chinese herbal medicine: $90 per visit (herbs are calculated in the amount of usage).
4. Completion of an ACC 32 form: $40.
All prices are subject to change without notice.
We require a minimum of 24 hours notice for cancellation of appointments, failure to do so will incur a $40 fee.