Acupuncture
Chinese
medicine has used acupuncture for over 2000 years. Needles are inserted in
specific points lying under the skin which carry energy - meridians. The aim
is to restore balance.
It also has a place in
Western medicine where the treatment follows Western style diagnosis .
Treatment may be based on trigger spot stimulation as well as meridians.
Another technique uses electrical resistance to identify points for treating
with electrical stimulation.
Dr Causer uses
this electroacupuncture for selected patients and also as a private service.
If you will benefit from self treatment he will arrange for you to purchase an
approved model and train you in its use.
There is some evidence of benefit for chronic low back pain, chronic neck pain
(particularly when suffered for over 5 years), migraine, painful
periods, post-operative nausea, post-operative dental pain and possibly neck pain.
Use with asthma, osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and stroke is of
uncertain benefit and there is no evidence of benefit for weight loss. The situation with smoking cessation is
complicated. Whilst no benefit has been proven, 35% of smokers do give up
smoking immediately.
The Minster Practice, Lichfield
