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april 2018yogajournal.com.au“ From acupuncture and Reiki to intuitive counselling and
craniosacral therapy, modalities once viewed as ‘alternative’ are
becoming increasingly mainstream.”acupuncture
ACUPUNCTURE INVOLVES PRICKING SKIN and body tissues with needles. The application
of these needles along the body’s energy meridians is an ancient Chinese medical intervention—
thought to be used more than 8,000 years ago—which has been proven to help ease and prevent
a host of health conditions. “Acupuncture can assist with a range of treatments and concerns.
We use gentle techniques with tiny needles that target energy lines (Meridians) in the body to
assist with physical, emotional and mental balance. Most treatments are relaxing and benefits can
be felt almost instantly,” says Gregory Dunn, Director of Australian Acupuncture Clinics and
yoga teacher.
TRY THIS THERAPY IF... you tend to be skeptical and want proof that a therapy will work.
Acupuncture is backed by satisfying scientific evidence. Research shows acupuncture’s benefits range
from helping relatively minor health complaints (one study published in the American Journal of
Rhinology & Allergy found that acupuncture relieves sinus problems due to allergies) to more serious
issues (researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University found acupuncture helps
ease cancer pain). And when it comes to treating chronic pain, there are hundreds of studies published
in well-respected medical journals that reported positive results when acupuncture is used to treat
ailments from back, neck, and nerve pain to premenstrual cramps.