insideKENT Magazine Issue 36 - March 2015 | Page 66
HEALTH+WELLNESS
Acupuncture Awareness Week
This year, Acupuncture Awareness Week takes place from 2nd-8th March, and is highlighting
the effects of stress. The event is supported by the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC); a
voluntary register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.
Up to half a million people in the UK experience
work-related stress every year, which can often
result in illness. The signs of stress can vary from
one individual to the next. They may manifest
physically as an illness, tiredness or lethargy, or
as symptoms such as sore, tight muscles, dull
skin, lank hair, or erratic sleep patterns. Mental
stress can result in depression, mood swings,
anger, frustration, confusion, paranoid behaviour,
jealousy or withdrawal. Other factors that affect
stress levels include alcohol, smoking, exams,
pregnancy, divorce, moving, bereavement,
lifestyle, drugs, poor nutrition and unemployment.
Stress is a common complaint cited by
acupuncture patients with a variety of possible
associated symptoms – the most prevalent of
these is anxiety. An increasing weight of evidence
from Western scientific research is demonstrating
the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating a
wide range of conditions. From a biomedical
viewpoint, acupuncture stimulates the nervous
system, influencing the production of the body's
communication substances: hormones and
neurotransmitters.
Lead acupuncturist at Acupuncture South East
in Tunbridge Wells, Eleanor Henderson, explains:
“Research shows that stress activates the
sympathetic nervous system, while acupuncture
can activate the opposing parasympathetic
nervous system, which initiates the relaxation
respon se, thus promoting physical and emotional
wellbeing.”
With 2.3 million treatments carried out each year,
acupuncture is one of the most popular
complementary therapies practised in the UK
today. Members of the BAcC practice
acupuncture based on Chinese medicine
principles that have been developed, researched,
and refined for over 2,000 years. The BAcC
currently registers over 3,000 qualified
practitioners.
Acupuncture is now widely used and accepted
all over the world. In the UK, more and more
people are finding out what acupuncture can do
for them. Acupuncture works to help maintain
your body’s equilibrium. It involves the insertion
of very fine needles into specific points on the
body to regulate the flow of Qi (pronounced
‘chee’) – your body’s vital energy. Acupuncture
needles are much finer than needles used for
injections and blood tests. For a number of lifestyle
and environmental reasons, Qi can become
disturbed, depleted, or blocked, which can result
in symptoms of pain, illness, or disease.
Many people come to acupuncture to relieve
specific pain like osteoarthritis of the knee or for
relaxation and stress relief. Some use acupuncture
because they feel generally unwell but have no
obvious diagnosis. Others choose acupuncture
simply to enhance their feeling of wellbeing. It
can also be used effectively alongside
conventional medicine. Acupuncture is considered
suitable for all ages including babies and children,
as well as in pregnancy. BAcC acupuncturists
are trained to recognise potentially serious
underlying health conditions and may refer you
to your GP if they consider it appropriate.
Acupuncture South East
Eleanor Henderson
Eleanor Henderson is the founder of
Acupuncture South East. She has a first class
BSc (Hons) degree in Acupuncture and is a
member of the BAcC, as well as a qualified
sports massage and pregnancy massage
practitioner.
She has a specific interest in mental health,
gynaecological and reproductive issues, as well
as musculoskeletal pain and chronic pain from
her associated work as a sports massage
therapist. Her treatments combine acupuncture,
massage, lifestyle advice and traditional Chinese
medicine techniques to create a holistic
treatment plan tailored to each patient. Such
treatments may be covered by your private
health insurance plan.
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Eleanor is based at the Tunbridge Wells
Osteopathic Clinic, but she also covers the
whole of Kent and the South East.
As a special offer for insideKENT readers,
Eleanor is offering a FREE 30-minute taster
treatment in March. To book, or if you have any
questions regarding acupuncture, email
[email protected] or visit
www.acupuncturesoutheast.co.uk. You can
also follow her on Twitter @henderhands.