Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine method that encourages the body to promote natural healing and to improve mood, energy and functioning, such as relieving pain, treating various diseases, preventing disease, promoting general health or being used for therapeutic purposes. This is done by inserting fine needles and applying heat or hand/electrical stimulations at very specific acupuncture points. It is safe and effective. The selection of acupuncture points and the manipulation techniques are based on the diagnosis of diseases and/or disorders. No substance is injected into the body. However, herbs may sometimes be used to enhance the efficiency of the treatment.*
How Does Acupuncture Work?
The classical Chinese medicine explains that there are 20 meridians in the body and its surface is like a web. Energy (Qi and blood) runs in the meridians. These meridians are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the body; blood flow and the nervous system also follow the meridians to run through the body to various parts, structures and organs. When the body is healthy, energy flows smoothly and is balanced. An obstruction or stagnation of these Energy Rivers will restrict the flow, causing the body to lose balance. Any obstruction, blockages or deficiencies of energy and blood would eventually lead to a disease. The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points. The acupuncture needles unblock the obstruction and re-establish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.*
Why You Want to Select Acupuncture?
Acupuncture, if properly applied, provides effective alternative treatment to many diseases/disorders. Acupuncture adopts different methodology from common medical treatments. Patients having difficulties in recovering from diseases/disorders under common treatment may find acupuncture surprisingly effective for diseases/disorders such as fatigue and low energy, pains, paralysis, asthma, quitting smoking and weight control among others. At Healthcare Acupuncture Centre, significant relief from these diseases/disorders is usually achieved in a few treatments.*
Why Select Healthcare Acupuncture Centre?
Professional and effective treatment.*
Does Acupuncture Work?
There is no doubt that acupuncture is very effective for many diseases and disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) has clearly identified the effectiveness of acupuncture for the following:
Cold and flu, sore throat, hay fever*
Dizziness*
Anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression*
Hypoglycaemia, diabetes*
Hepatitis, herpes*
Eczema, acne*
Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, cerebral palsy, polio*
Arthritis, neuralgia, sciatica, back pain, bursitis, tendonitis, stiff neck, headache*
Asthma, bronchitis, sinus infection*
Stroke, high blood pressure*
Infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginitis, morning sickness*
Deafness, tinnitus, ear-aches*
Sprains, strains*
Stomach ulcers, colitis, indigestion, haemorrhoids, diarrhea, constipation*
Weight loss*
Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective for:
Chronic fatigue*
Side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation*
Withdrawal from caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and sugar*
The signs of ageing*
Post-surgical recovery*
Addiction cessation*
Recreational drugs*
Under functioning of the immune system*
In fact, the practice of acupuncture, as part of Chinese medicine, has been followed in China and Eastern Asia for over 4,000 years.
What Do You Feel During Acupuncture?
Depending on the manipulation techniques selected according to different diseases, a dull ache, a shooting sensation, warmth, cooling, distending or heavy feelings may be experienced. These are all considered “good” feelings, reflecting the efficiency of the treatment.*
What Are the Side Effects?
As a natural treatment method to adjust the balance of human bodies, acupuncture has no obvious adverse side effects if applied properly. Attention will, however, be paid under special conditions. For example, patients with pacemakers or epilepsy should avoid electrically stimulated acupuncture. Women in early pregnancy and haemophiliacs will be treated with caution.*
*Results may vary.