What is "acupuncture" and does it work? Let's take a look.

Traditional Chinese Medicines are becoming more and more popular, and one of the most popular is Acupuncture.  It is based on the belief that an energy, or "life force" flows through the body in channels called meridians. This life force is known as Qi (pronounced "chee").  Practitioners who adhere to traditional beliefs about acupuncture believe that when Qi does not flow freely through the body, this can cause illness. They also believe acupuncture can restore the flow of Qi, and so restore health.

So what is it?  Well, it involves inserting micro-needles into the body's pressure points to stimulate the self-healing process and regulate the flow of the body's energy.

Some say it is good for treating everything from depression and arthritis to migraine and even fertility. People have used acupuncture as an alternative to Botox, with some big celebrities promoting it, sometimes even publishing photos of needles in their bodies.

It is thought the needles help the body produce natural substances, such as pain-relieving endorphins. It is likely that these naturally released substances are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced with acupuncture.

Apparently, even if you are scared of needles, and many have this phobia, the needles are so tiny you barely feel a scratch.  The needles are fine and are usually a few centimetres long. They should be single-use, pre-sterlised and are disposed of immediately after use.

Does it work??  There is not a lot of scientific evidence.  The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidelines for the NHS on the use of treatments and care of patients. Currently, NICE only recommends considering acupuncture as a treatment for Chronic Tension-Type Headaches, and Migraines.
However, acupuncture is also often used to treat other musculoskeletal conditions (bones and muscles) and pain conditions, including Neck Pain, Joint Pain, Dental Pain and Postoperative Pain. It has to be said that there is little good quality evidence to draw any conclusions around its effectiveness with other treatments.

Astonishingly, there is no current statutory regulation of acupuncture in England, but many non-medical practitioners are required to register with their local authority.

If you choose to have it, make sure your acupuncture practitioner is either a regulated healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist or a member of a recognised national acupuncture organisation.

There is a British Acupuncture Council, and they hold a register of practitioners that have been vetted and approved by the Professional Standards Authority. You can visit their website to find someone qualified in your area.

There can be side-effects sometimes - and these include:

• pain where the needles have punctured the skin
• possible bleeding or bruising around the area
• drowsiness
• feeling nauseous
• possible dizziness.

HMHB says:

This is all down to the individual. If you find it is something that helps you then go for it. There are many things we do not understand, and medicine is constantly updating itself with discoveries. Two hundred years ago if you had told people that the world would run on an invisible power source that controlled everything (electricity) you would have been laughed at.  Just be aware that you should probably always speak to a GP before undertaking anything concerned with health matters.