Like anything, if you give yourself enough time to do a spot of Internet exploring you’re going to find something that will deter you from trying acupuncture. The truth being, people react differently to their various experiences in life; while some might love one restaurant, another person might never step foot inside it again.
Take pharmaceuticals for example, some people respond fast and effectively to drugs, whilst it wont work for others as well. You’ll never know if Acupuncture will work well for you until you give it a try! *Please note: Traditional Acupuncture and ‘dry needling, ‘Trigger point needling’ are different things- which we will elaborate on later*
Acupuncture works- there’s no denying that. There are however plenty of myths surrounding the treatment which could be putting some of you off- and I wanted to clear a few of them up…

Myth number one: It’s painful!
Frightened of vaccinations? Acupuncture needles are absolutely nothing like those used for injections. In fact, they’re so fine (thinner than a human hair) you’ll hardly feel them when they penetrate the skin. The way the needles are inserted is with a gentle flick or tap; the majority of people feel that sensation on the skin then the needle going in itself. If you are not comfortable with that sensation at any point your Acupuncturist will always take the needle out. You might instead feel a slight tingling or awareness in certain areas of the body once the needles are in, but this just shows that the Acupuncture is correctly doing what it’s supposed to do. 

Myth number two: Acupuncture is only for Injuries!
Again being a myth, majority of conditions Acupuncture can be beneficial with (not just injuries!) Common conditions we can help with:

• Infertility 
• Mental/Emotional conditions
• Digestive complaints
• Insomnia
• Sinusitis/ respiratory problem
• And the common cold!

Myth Number three: It’s unsafe if you’re pregnant!
This is a major myth (to note always inform your Acupuncturist of potential pregnancy) We will avoid certain Acupuncture points during pregnancy, Acupuncture is 100% safe (ensuring your with a qualified/ registered Acupuncturist) We can actually assist with common pregnancy complaints such as:

• Morning sickness
• Muscular aches & pains
• Headaches
• From 35 weeks assist with encouraging a natural efficient labour
• Breech babies
• Induction treatment (if you’ve gone over your due date)

Myth number four: It doesn’t work!
At this stage in New Zealand ACC will fund Acupuncture services, private insurers will also subsidise treatments. This would not occur if ‘Acupuncture didn’t work’. Acupuncture is currently being carried out at IVF centres throughout the world and here in Wellington- again this would not be happening if there was no evidence to show effectiveness. 

• Pooled results of 29 studies involving nearly 18,000 participants; overall, acupuncture relieved pain by about 50% = pain levels halved

• An article examined the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating chronic shoulder pain (CSP). Participants were comprised of 424 patients with CSP. Random assignment placed each patient into traditional acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or conventional orthopaedic treatment. Directly following treatment analysis revealed that the traditional acupuncture group yielded a 68% improvement, sham acupuncture 24%, and conventional orthopedic treatment 28%.

• In 2010, Manber et al. (N=150) found a significantly 50% decrease in depressive symptoms amongst pregnant patients with Major depressive disorder.
• A study of 160 women, published April 2002 in the reproductive journal Fertility and Sterility, a group of German researchers found that adding acupuncture to the traditional IVF treatment protocols substantially increased pregnancy success by 61%. 

• An observation study by Betts and Lenox in 2004 looked at the effect of using pre-birth acupuncture on 169 women as part of their routine antenatal care. In the acupuncture group there was an overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their first baby this was a 43% reduction) and a 31% reduction in the epidural rate when compared to the local population. When comparing midwifery only care there was a 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery and a 9% increase in normal vaginal births.

Myth number five: You need no training to be an Acupuncturist
Acupuncturists in New Zealand complete four years University level training to be qualified and registered. Completing at least 500 clinical hours and passing a final exam for registration, as well as completing yearly continued development hours for registration.

Myth Number six: It’s not entirely safe
As long as you a being treated by a qualified/ registered practitioner rate of adverse events requiring specific treatment after Acupuncture are 2.2% (4963 incidents among 229 230 subjects), worst case scenario!
Most common side effects with rates are as follows:

• Small bleedings (2,9%), 
• Hematoma (Bruising) (2,2%), 
• Dizziness (1 %)

*Please Note: I have been asked and there is no ‘Death point’ or ‘Kiss of the Dragon” point- apologies to martial arts fans!*

Myth number seven: It Can’t Make You Look Better
While most people use acupuncture to help rid themselves of pain, some swear by it for the benefits it brings to their skin – and it’s a myth that the technique can’t make you look better.
Facial acupuncture or beauty acupuncture as it’s more commonly known stimulates the skin’s ability to regenerate and restructure itself. In accelerating anti-inflammatory activity it can remove accumulative toxins from the skin and encourage new collagen and elastin production. This can be particularly beneficial for anyone with acne scarring or for those who’d like to add a youthful glow to their complexion

Myth number eight: Acupuncture & Dry needling are the same thing
Again this is false- Dry needling was established by Physiotherapists who saw the excellent results Acupuncturists were getting treating Muscular-Skeletal conditions. So an element of this was taken and adapted to their modality. When dry needling is performed and stimulated in a different means to a Traditional Acupuncturist, we generally do not stimulate needles to the point where it elicits such a strong nerve response.

Myth number nine: I shouldn’t go to my Acupuncture appointment if I have a Cold/ Flu
We appreciate your consideration of not spreading your cold- but Acupuncture can be very beneficial at supplementing the immune system and helping your body throw off any winter chills you may catch in the colder weather. 


So there you have it. Nine acupuncture myths all cleared up. Time to book yourself in for better health, immunity and energy!
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For more information please see www.happybodyacupuncture.co.nz and 
 http://www.cityosteopaths.co.nz/acupuncture.html

Call our reception staff at City Osteopaths Healthcare on 044991439 to make an appointment.

She says that midwives noted labour time was shorter and that significantly less medical intervention was required if women received a series of acupuncture pre- birth treatments. 


Janine goes on to say,  "When needed, an acupuncture induction can work very well, offering a gentle alternative to a chemical induction. A single treatment may be sufficient, but three is more common. If you are about to be induced chemically it is a good idea to receive 3 treatments spaced close together". 


Our acupuncturists also turn breach or posterior babies. "It's so gentle. We stimulate an acupressure point on the feet by applying concentrated heat instead of a needle. Sounds odd I know, but around 70% of babies will turn. Even in late pregnancy it may work but the earlier we start the better as there is more room for baby to turn". 


Our Reg Acupuncturists Janine Nana and Sharlene McInness, also teach partners or support people some simple and very effective acupressure techniques to use in labour. It is easy to learn, and requires no massage experience. The techniques taught are great at easing pain during contractions. They can also calm the woman should labour become overwhelming. 


Finally, postnatal acupuncture may help you in a variety of ways. It can deal with insufficient lactation or mastitis. Fatigue and slow recovery issues are very treatable by using points that build energy. And crying a lot? You may have postnatal depression. It often feels like anxiety rather than depression, like not coping maybe. Others may not understand the depth of your not coping feelings. It may be beyond their experience to feel like you are feeling. While anti-depressants will help, try acupuncture first, as medication means you'll need to stop breast feeding. "We use acupuncture to balance serotonin to lift sadness, calm anxiety and balance stress hormones"

For more information visit our website here
Or call our reception staff on 04 4991439 to have Janine or Sharlene call you back

Article by City Osteopaths Reg. Acupuncturist, Sharlene Green- McInness 

Recurrent pregnancy loss can be benefited with Acupuncture treatment, assisting with related immune factors, emotional distress, and hormonal imbalances. Acupuncture is also supportive of a developing foetus by improving blood flow supply and preventing involuntary uterine contractions. Balancing the hormonal interaction between the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Ovarian axis (HPO axis) regulating the body’s natural hormone production and Progesterone levels. This results in improved ovarian egg quality and a rich nourishing Uterus lining for a developing embryo, encouraging a 9 month stay.

Acupuncture can be very helpful during pregnancy and in the lead up to labour. During pregnancy we can help with such things as Morning sickness, Emotional issues and Muscular aches and pains. Leading up to labour, Acupuncture works with preparing your body for eminent labour by encouraging efficient ripening of the Cervix, assisting with energy reserves, encouraging baby’s descent and helping with baby positioning. I will show you beneficial Acupressure points that birthing partners can use to provide pain relief and assist a straight forward efficient labour.

We often receive referrals from midwives for breech babies. The treatment involved is very gentle but effective. In the treatment, I burn a Moxa stick (heated Chinese herbs) over a point on your foot. This heat is just another way of stimulating the point. Then I give you a stick of Moxa to take home and repeat the treatment yourself, daily for 10 days. For expectant mothers going over their due date Acupuncture can also be used to gently encourage the body to naturally go into labour without induction, encouraging uterine contractions and promoting labour.

Several studies have been conducted exploring the use of Acupuncture to prepare woman for labour; the first being in 1974. The results of this research concluded Acupuncture received on a weekly basis from 37 weeks, was beneficial in reducing the average labour time from 8 hours 2 minutes to 6 hours 36 minutes (in the Acupuncture group).

Further research conducted by Zeisler into the use of Acupuncture points from 36 weeks showed positive effects on first stage labour duration shortening from 5 hours 35min to 3 hours 27mins in the group who had received Acupuncture.

Research into Acupuncture from 35 weeks gestation has shown the following statistics:

·         35% reduction in inductions performed (first pregnancies 43%)

·         31% reduction in epidural rate

Kubista E, Kucera H. Geburtshilfe Perinatol 1974; 178 224-9. Zeisler H, Tempfer C, Mayerhofe Kr, Barrada M, Husslein P. Influence of acupuncture on duration of labour Gynecol Obstet Invest 1998; 46:22-5. Betts D, Lennox S. Acupuncture for prebirth treatment: An observational study of its use in midwifery practice. Medical acupuncture 2006 May; 17(3):17-20

In Asian culture it is customary for woman to have a 30 day rest post labour. Understandably society doesn’t exactly facilitate this occurring... The focus of Acupuncture treatments post-delivery are directed towards; mood balancing, assisting with energy levels, facilitating lactation and milk production.

Reg. Acupuncturist Sharlene Green- McIness
City Osteopaths
www.happybodyacupuncture.co.nz
​www.cityosteopaths.co.nz