What Can Be Treated

The following comments are my personal views on the efficacy of acupuncture based on my academic knowledge, empirical observations, anecdotal evidence, scientific evidence and many hours of consultation and diagnosis with patents. These views are becoming more widely recognised as we find suitable ways to present the evidence of efficacy such as the results from truly pragmatic trials. Blinded randomised controlled trials as the gold standard of Western medicine are not suited to traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture due to its individualistic and holistic nature. Organisations such as the World Health OrganisationNICE are recommending the use of acupuncture and many enlightened Western medicine practitioners such as Dr Stephen Gascoigne promot the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

There are many lists detailing illnesses that acupuncture can help with however, to my mind these lists are unnecessary, as Chinese medicine is a complete system of health care proven over thousands of years. Due to its holistic nature traditional Chinese medicine can be used to treat any disease of mind and body. Traditional Chinese medicine may also preserve health through correcting the imbalances we put upon ourselves and have thrust upon us through life and its daily stresses.

There are generally three groups of patients acupuncturists see:

I have seen TCM acupuncture produce remarkable improvements to the quality of life for many patients. Conditions that many sufferers consider part of their lives due to the chronic nature of the disease and Western medicines inability to deal with it, such as, dysmenorrhoea (period pain), premenstrual syndrome, menopausal symptoms, headaches, back and joint pains, sciatica, when treated with TCM acupuncture frequently show beneficial results.

I have seen success in the treatment of conditions such as infertility with traditional Chinese medicine and what appear to be more successful applications of Western medicine IVF treatments when complemented by acupuncture. Acupuncture can have a profound effect on the emotions and emotional conditions such as, insomnia, depression and anxiety. There are major pathological developments between good mental health and good physical health, often what is a very real physical illness such as dysmenorrhoea will have its origins in emotional turmoil, therefore acupuncture treatment often benefits both the physical illness and the emotional stability.

Some conditions, if not reduced completely or substantially improved by traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture, may be better managed by treatment wholly or in tandem with Western medicine; for example eczema and allergic rhinitis (hay fever) may be alleviated along with a reduction in the use of drugs like steroids and antihistamines. Even conditions like the common cold or a sore throat may be made less unpleasant for the sufferer and more easily dealt with by the body’s own defences. Acute injuries such as breaks, sprains and lacerations once safely dealt with by appropriate measures or the emergency services can be made more comfortable and more susceptible to swift and uncomplicated repair.

Classical Chinese medicine texts referrer to the ‘superior physician’ suggesting that the best doctors could treat a disease before it had yet manifested with physical signs & symptoms. The more I understand the aetiology and pathology of disease as described within traditional Chinese medicine the more I understand the importance of health preservation and the more I appreciate the benefit of using traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture as a method of general healthcare and wellbeing to help individuals maintain balanced health and happiness.