Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture at Lifestyle Healthcare
Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique that has been used for thousands of years to promote balance, reduce pain, and improve overall health. At Lifestyle Healthcare, we offer acupuncture treatments that focus on relieving muscular tension, managing pain, and promoting healing. Whether you’re dealing with stubborn muscle spasms, sports injuries, or chronic pain, acupuncture can provide effective relief.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. These points are carefully chosen based on their connection to the body’s energy (Qi), and the goal is to restore balance and promote natural healing. Acupuncture needles are particularly effective in treating trigger points and taut bands of muscle—areas of tension that are common in conditions like low back pain, shoulder pain, and neck stiffness.
By stimulating these points, acupuncture encourages the flow of energy and improves circulation, helping to relax tight muscles and alleviate discomfort. The technique is always performed within your comfort zone, ensuring a safe and effective treatment.
There Are Many Styles of Acupuncture
There are many styles of acupuncture available these days. The acupuncture we offer at Lifestyle Healthcare is based on a holistic and traditional method of diagnosis and treatment. This simple yet effective approach uses a minimal number of needles per session, and the technique is gentle, as we don’t strongly manipulate the needles.
Each treatment will begin with an in-depth consultation where we discuss any diet or lifestyle adjustments that may support your healing. After this, the acupuncture treatment itself lasts around 20 minutes, giving you time to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. After your first session, we will discuss your treatment plan and decide on the best path forward for your care.
All needles used in our treatments are disposable, sterile, and single-use, ensuring safety and hygiene during every session.
Laser Acupuncture Option
Laser acupuncture is also available for children under 13 years of age and for adults who may prefer to avoid puncturing the skin. Laser acupuncture uses low-level light to stimulate acupuncture points without the need for traditional needles, offering a pain-free alternative while still providing therapeutic benefits.
What to Expect During Your Acupuncture Session
When you come in for an acupuncture treatment at Lifestyle Healthcare, you can expect a comfortable and relaxing experience. Here’s what to expect during your session:
- Comfortable Clothing: Please wear loose and comfortable clothing that can be easily adjusted to expose the knees and elbows for treatment.
- Before Your Session: It’s ideal if you remove jewellery and turn off your mobile phone to allow for complete relaxation during your session.
- During the Treatment: After the initial consultation, you will be left in the room for 20 minutes to relax or sleep while the needles perform their work.
- Post-Treatment Recommendations: Acupuncture works wonderfully in collaboration with other therapies, but we recommend that you avoid other body treatments for at least 24 hours, preferably 48 hours, after your acupuncture session to ensure the best results.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been found to be highly beneficial for treating various conditions, including:
- Muscle Spasms & Tension: Effective in relieving stubborn muscle spasms, especially those related to sports injuries or chronic tightness.
- Chronic Muscular Pain: Particularly helpful for conditions such as low back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain.
- Increased Flexibility: Alleviates tightness in muscles and helps improve the range of motion, especially in areas of chronic stiffness.
- Sports Injuries: Reduces swelling, enhances recovery, and accelerates healing of soft tissue injuries.
- Pain Relief: A powerful option for those who haven’t found relief through traditional methods, offering an alternative or complementary treatment for pain management.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture
It’s important to understand the difference between Dry Needling and Acupuncture, as they are often confused, despite both involving the use of needles.
Acupuncture: Based on traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture focuses on restoring balance to the body by stimulating specific energy points. It treats the whole body, addressing both physical symptoms and underlying imbalances.
Dry Needling: This is a Western medicine technique developed by Drs Travell & Simon for treating myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points. Dry needling specifically targets painful areas of muscle tension to relieve pain and improve movement. The needles used in dry needling are also sterile and single-use, but the technique differs from acupuncture in both theory and application.
While both techniques use needles, acupuncture aims to balance the body’s energy, whereas dry needling targets specific muscle groups to alleviate pain and improve flexibility. At Lifestyle Healthcare, we utilise both techniques where appropriate to ensure the best possible outcome for our patients.
What to Expect During Your Acupuncture Session
When you come in for an acupuncture treatment at Lifestyle Healthcare, you will first have a consultation with our experienced acupuncturist. They will assess your condition, discuss your health history, and determine the best approach for your treatment.
During the session, you will lie comfortably while the acupuncturist places very fine needles into specific areas of your body. You may feel a slight sensation as the needles are inserted, but they are generally not painful. Many patients report feeling a sense of deep relaxation during the treatment. The needles remain in place for 15 to 30 minutes, and you can relax during this time.
After the session, you may experience an improvement in your symptoms, including reduced pain, greater flexibility, and increased relaxation. Most patients find acupuncture to be a highly effective way to manage pain and improve their overall well-being.
Book Your Acupuncture Appointment Today
If you’re looking for a natural, effective solution for pain, muscle tension, or chronic conditions, acupuncture at Lifestyle Healthcare may be the right option for you. Our expert acupuncturists will work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan designed to meet your individual health needs.
Contact us today to book your acupuncture appointment and take the first step toward improved health and wellness.