Facial Acupuncture - Some Myths Dispelled

Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine in which fine needles are inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes. In the UK, it has always been seen as an “alternative” form of medicine, yet therapeutic acupuncture is used in many NHS practices and in most pain clinics and hospices in the UK.

Facial acupuncture uses the same techniques to provide treatments not only for conditions which affect the head such as headaches, sinus pain, tinnitus, facial pain or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder but also the whole body as all meridian points end or begin in the face. This means all organ and musculoskeletal issues can be treated through the face. It can help to regulate the immune and organ function and is an accepted method of relieving stress and boosting overall wellbeing.

Cosmetic Acupuncture, where needles are also inserted into the face, can be an effective “non-surgical facelift” treatment – ideal for those wanting a natural alternative to Botox and cosmetic surgery.

As with most complementary and alternative treatments, there are a number of “myths” surrounding acupuncture, some of which we look at below.

Myth 1 - Acupuncture is painful

You may have the perfectly understandable fear that having multiple needles inserted in your skin must be painful. However, acupuncture needles are nothing like what you probably think of as a needle – they are much thinner than even the hypodermic needles used for taking blood. They are more like very fine wires or cats’ whiskers in fact.

You will barely notice the needles being inserted; points at the extremities, like toe or finger ends, can sometimes be a little sharp but the sensation is very brief. Once they are inserted in the right places, the needles can produce a feeling like a dull ache or a slight tingling feeling like a very weak electric shock but in an instant this sensation settles. This is an unfamiliar sensation if you’ve never had acupuncture before but it’s rarely considered painful. If a particular needle does cause pain then be sure to tell your acupuncturist and they will remove it immediately.

Myth 2 – There is no proof that acupuncture works

Until fairly recently, Western medicine has not been able to explain why acupuncture works, yet millions of people have benefited from it over many centuries. The proof has simply been: All the people who swear by it.

Now new techniques such as MRI scanning allow researchers to monitor patients’ brains during acupuncture, in order to measure its effects in a more scientific way. They have concluded that acupuncture’s effect is not just psychological (placebo effect); in fact, the research shows acupuncture works directly on the brain to reduce the amount of pain we feel.

Due to this research, in 2009 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) endorsed acupuncture and allowed GPs to “consider offering a course of up to 10 sessions of acupuncture over a period of up to 12 weeks” for cases of non-specific lower back pain. These days, acupuncture is still occasionally available on the NHS, although access is limited and most patients pay for private treatment.

Myth 3 - Acupuncture is just for pain

It is true that acupuncture can work wonders for back pain, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, leg pain, post-operative pain and pretty much any other kind of pain you can think of, either acute or chronic. It’s no wonder that acupuncture and pain are often mentioned in the same breath but acupuncture can also provide relief from many other ailments such as digestive problems, menstrual irregularities, allergies, insomnia, stress and anxiety, sinus conditions, asthma and several other conditions.

Facial acupuncture can treat specific ailments or be used to relieve stress and boost general wellbeing. In fact, there are acupuncture points in the face that correspond to all the energy pathways and organs of the body so a wide range of conditions can be treated by using acupuncture on the face alone.

Myth 4 – If it doesn’t work first time it won’t work at all

Certainly, immediate results from one session of acupuncture are quite common but many conditions that acupuncture patients come in with are deep-rooted and may require a longer course of treatment. For many patients, acupuncture is a last resort after trying physiotherapy, chiropractics or even homeopathy so expecting instant relief in every case is unrealistic.

After your first acupuncture session, most acupuncturists usually will provide an estimate for how many treatments you’re likely to need. This is always an estimate because response times to acupuncture can vary widely but it’s a good guideline. However at Niroshini, all treatments are client led; we assess the effectiveness together and ascertain what to focus on because each treatment is tailor made as each session will be different according to the progress of recovery or according to a clients end goal.

Myth 5 - Once you start acupuncture, you’ll always need acupuncture

For most conditions, your acupuncturist will strive to improve your main concern (the cause, not just the symptoms) so you do not have to return for more treatment. However for chronic conditions, it’s true that some people return regularly for treatment, maybe once a month, because they find it beneficial. If you have a chronic condition like this, you may have to have regular treatments to manage the condition.

Similarly, if you use cosmetic acupuncture for its cosmetic benefits, you wouldn’t expect one treatment to have everlasting effects. Still, a regular acupuncture treatment is arguably a better option than many of the alternatives.

On balance, acupuncture offers an affordable and natural way to keep on top of your condition (or ageing skin) and may minimise the need for other treatments.

So there you have it. The facts in plain simple English. If you are considering acupuncture and are interested to find out more about Niroshini Cosmetic Acupuncture why not give Melissa a call today - 01473 430026