Acupuncture treatment for pain

The Acupuncture Trialist's Collaboration is the largest database in the world for Acupuncture and Pain. Similarly, there is an Australian collaboration known as the Acupuncture Evidence Project that has reviewed a large number of randomised control trials for numerous conditions by looking at the quality of the evidence and determining the strength of the evidence supporting Acupuncture's effectiveness.

The consensus of such collaborations is that the strongest evidence that exists for Acupuncture currently is for PAIN. In particular, Acupuncture for chronic pain, migraines and headaches shows to have the strongest evidence of effectiveness.

Acupuncture according to the reviews of the trials is shown to be more effective than placebo and as well as standard forms of care for chronic pain.

International clinical guidelines now reflect these findings. For example the National Institute for Health and Care Evidence (NICE) in the UK officially recommends Acupuncture for the treatment of chronic pain as does numerous US medical advisory bodies.

The same applies for migraines, where Acupuncture has been definitively proven to be a better treatment than placebo.

Acupuncture for pain relief

Research proves that Acupuncture is highly effective in relieving and managing pain. Some conditions where there has been compelling evidence to suggest Acupuncture's efficacy include:

• Chronic pain (general)

• Neck pain

• Chronic lower back pain

• Acute lower back pain

• Shoulder pain

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Cancer Pain

• Knee Osteoarthritis

• Post-Operative pain

• Headache - tension-type and chronic

• Migraine and Migraine prevention

• Trigeminal Neuralgia

• Frozen Shoulder

Is acupuncture painful?

Michelle Blum practices Japanese style Acupuncture, which is a comfortable and relaxing style of Acupuncture. Many of her patients report that they feel very minimal sensation when the needle is being inserted. They will often drift into a light and refreshing sleep during the treatment.

Acupuncture benefits

Pain relief is a major benefit derived from Acupuncture therapy. There is a famous saying in Traditional Chinese Medicine that where there is a free flow of Qi there is no pain however where there is obstruction of Qi there will be a pain. Hence one of the Acupuncture's major benefits is that of reducing pain and in some cases doing so, more effectively than placebo and standard/traditional care.

Can I use my health fund?

Yes. In clinic rebates by all the major private health funds are available for Acupuncture.