Understanding What is Acupuncture

1) ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES

Complying with international standards, only disposable needles are used in this clinic. No needles are shared or reused.

2) COMMON SENSATIONS DURING/AFTER ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT

During an acupuncture session, patients might experience soreness and/or numbness in areas where the needles are being inserted. This is a natural reaction of the body on the intrusion of a foreign object. It is also based on this principle, that acupuncture stimulates and hence, induces the body to perform self-repair (healing) functions. In some cases, strong stimulation is necessary and when this happens, an ‘electrifying’ sensation could be felt. However, if the sensation is too strong or unbearable, it is important that patients alert the attending physician immediately.

Sensitive Patient may experience nausea, or superficial bleeding or tenderness on the acupuncture areas or encounter superficial hematomas (bruises) after treatment. This is considered normal and it will usually disappear after a few days.

In addition, moxibution and cupping might also yield the same effects. As the condition of individual body’s varies, the extent of which, the body reacts to needle stimulation and the duration of these effects will also differ.

3) ANCIENT NEEDLE TECHNIQUE

Hook needle, charn needling and hot needling are kinds of ancient therapy. These therapies are commonly used on patients whose conditions require stronger stimulation, such as those suffering from chronic diseases and persistent problems and do often produce greater sensation than normal acupuncture treatments. These treatment methods involve applying strong stimulation on selected acu-points to remove blockage, promote positive re-growth and strengthen the immune system that will destroy the disease and prevent recurrence.

These methods are only performed upon special requests by patients or under the recommendation of our physicians. Before commencing such treatments, the physician will give further explanation and advice to the patient.

4) CASES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE COURSE ARRANGEMENT

Fever, flu, common cold, acute sore throat, cough, headache, stiff neck, twisted of wrist, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, insomnia etc. Normally required 1 – 3 treatments.

5) CASES THAT REQUIRE A COURSE OR MORE TREATMENTS FOR EFFECTIVENESS

Chronic headache, migraine, tinnitus, bronchitis, asthma, shortness of breath, dyspnoea, vertigo, mental disturbance, depression eczema, menopause syndromes, dermatomyositis. Required 2 – 3 courses with daily 1 or 2 treatments. Prevention treatments may be recommended.

Otorrhea, otitis media, rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, hey fever, chronic pharyngitis, chronic laryngitis, urticaria, herpes zoster, chronic gastritis, chronic colitis and diseases of gynecology. Required 10 – 15 sittings on alternate day. Prevention treatments may be recommended.

Neurological disorders, rheumatology and orthopaedic disorder, stroke-paralysis, neuritis, neuralgia, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, post-operative pain syndromes etc. Require a course of 15 sittings and prevention treatments are needed.

All patients will be given reading materials to help them gained further understanding on their cases.

Duration of standard treatment is about 15 – 20 minutes, full treatment about 30 – 40 minutes.

The estimated time needed to complete an acupuncture session on a new patient’s first visit is about 1 hour. This includes waiting time, special acupuncture diagnosis, treatment time, explication of treatment procedures and basic TCM concepts governing patients’ complaints, and questions & answers session.

Acupuncture on Breast Cancer – Case #1

Mrs Rosa G. , 50, Philippines, Housewife, 0609-48

She had been diagnosed in hospital specialist clinic as CA Breast, and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. Suffers from Post-operative Syndromes including pains, cold hands and feet due to poor microcirculation (Yang Deficiency), difficulty to raise up the right arm. Dark nails were observed in the hands and toes. No family history for cancer and she has been observing her diet and maintaining light exercises before diagnosis of cancer.

The auricular diagnosis was Bronchi38, Rec38, St33, Ub85, K75, T145 and T242. Patient received acupuncture treatments during her course of chemotherapy. Aim to reduce the severity of her symptoms and to increase her immunity. Major points prescribed were the ECIWO Lungs / Breast on the left, E-system Waiguan, Yanglao, Zhusanli and Tianzong.

Symptoms gradually subsided. On the 4th treatment, patient began to take Ling Zhi Broken Spores and Shark Cartilage. Her immunity and overall energy showed great improvements. After one course of 10 treatments, patient is able to do her own shopping.

To further increase nutrients into the blood and auto-immune system, in order to boost micro-circulation, she began taking Bazhen and Wu Gong Mi with her regular Lingzhi Broken Spores.

Her state of health has been maintained, with evidence of new hair growth on the head and weight increase. Also she was able to a few short overseas trips as a holiday. She is currently on Regular Health Maintenance Treatments. Points taken were Zhusanli, Yanglao, Tianzhong, Yintang and Sanyingjiao.

In July 2007, a local magazine and some reporters had interviewed and published her story on the battle of Breast Cancer.

Acupuncture on Arthritis, Headaches, General Lethargy and Eczema due to 20 years of anti-rheumatic medicines

Ms Anna L, 44, Hong Kong, Business Woman, Ms Anna L

On her first visit to my clinic in 2005, she had suffered from Arthritis of the joints, headaches and general lethargy. She had also symptoms such as cold limbs and extremities. This problem was relieved after 6 treatments. Due to her short stay in Singapore, she would always arrange for time to come in for treatments for her shoulders and knees.

In 2007, on her 2 separate visits, I was surprised to find her with Eczema and skin allergies on her face. I managed to find out that she had been taking a group of anti-rheumatic medicines for her Arthritic Inflammation over 20 years. Upon further research I found out that some of the medications would bring on undesired complications. Eg, Skin conditions, Eczema.

For her skin allergies on the face, I had selected ECIWO Head of 2nd metacarpal bone, Quchi, Sanyinjiao, Dazhui, Fengchi, for two treatments a day.

Acupuncture on Breast Cancer – Case 2

Breast Cancer, 58, Indonesia, Housewife, 0605-01

CA Breast. The tumour can be palpated. History of Hypertension, taking Cozaar, half a tablet OM. Symptoms including belching, indigestion and bloatedness in the stomach, cold perspiration, poor circulation, cold hands and feet. TCM diagnosis with External “Xu” & Internal “Heat”, therefore causing heat in the body and lead to insomnia.

Patient has received treatments of around 36 times between May 2006 to April 2007. Each time she is in Singapore she will receive an average of 3 to 5 days of treatment, 2 times a day. Points selected were ECIWO Lung, Kidney, Zhongwan, Qihai, Zhusanli, Feishu, Xinshu and Shenshu. Traditional Chinese Herbs, such as Ling Zhi Broken Spores, Ning Shen Bu Nao Fu Fang, were recommended to patient, as a reinforcing treatment therapy.

Follow up at the hospital specialist clinic showed that the cancerous tumour disappeared, on the Left side, 3 small ones had been found growing and the right 2 Lumps had gradually disappeared. She had later brought her family members including her son, daughter-in-law, sister and husband to Singapore for consultations and health maintenance treatments.

Acupuncture on Miscarriage, accompanied with Irregular Menstruation

Mrs Caroline J. , 33, Australia, Student, 0706-48

Married with 1 child but suffered 2 times miscarriage, accompanied with Irregular Menstruation. Sought Acupuncture in London, 1 course of 8 sessions, and took up Herbal Remedies and Vitamins Therapy. Ultrasounds and blood tests were done several occasions to determine the cause for her hormonal imbalance and relation to her unnatural labour. However, scan results had shown no abnormality in the reproductive systems and blood results showed normal readings During treatment, points selected were ECIWO Kidneys, Guanyuan, Zhusanli, Sanyinjiao, Chensan.

Throughout the treatment, I had discovered that she had rather weak immunity, presenting with pre-cold syndromes often and having throat discomforts, respiratory problems, etc. Therefore following points were selected to treat the symptoms, including Dazhui, Mingmen, Yaoyangguan, Feishu.

She had completed 1 course of 8 treatments within 1 month, followed by recommendation to rest the body for duration of about 1 month. After which, she continued with treatments for health maintenance basis for another month, 5 treatments. Last course of treatments of 5 sessions reaped results. On the 2 treatment of the third course, she experienced temperature surges that relate to her ovulation. On the last session, she brought in good news of being pregnant for 4 weeks and her health was in good state with no experience of previously mentioned symptoms.

Maintenance treatments were recommended to keep up the health and energy unless necessary. Also advised were treatments to protect fetus if there are signs of breached fetus in the later stage of pregnancy.