Chinese acupuncture is practised widely across Singapore to support diverse body functions, including facial and body management, pain relief, and more.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners utilise century-old practices, adapting them to address each individual’s wellness needs.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice that involves inserting fine, thin needles into specific points across the body. These points, known as acupuncture points, are sites linked to pathways or meridians that facilitate the flow of qi (pronounced "chee"), or vital energy.
By targeting these points, acupuncture seeks to rebalance the body’s energy flow, which in turn enhances natural healing and promotes physical and emotional well-being. This practice is widely utilised to help relieve a variety of ailments, ranging from chronic pain and migraines to stress and nausea.
Furthermore, acupuncture’s holistic approach helps to target the root causes of health issues rather than just the symptoms, thereby providing a comprehensive approach to managing individual health and wellness needs.
Explore how Chinese acupuncture may potentially promote healing and help balance bodily functions.
When acupuncture needles are inserted at specific points, they stimulate nerve endings and send signals to the brain to release endorphins, often referred to as "natural painkillers." This process begins with the activation of sensory neurons at the site of needle insertion. These neurons transmit signals through the spinal cord to the brain, where they activate the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
The hypothalamus is a region of the brain that regulates hormones and emotional responses, while the pituitary gland produces and releases various hormones, including endorphins.
Once released, endorphins bind to opioid receptors on neurons, blocking the transmission of pain signals and altering the perception of pain. This biochemical response not only reduces pain but also fosters a sense of calm and emotional stability by interacting with the brain’s limbic system, which is involved in mood regulation.
Additionally, acupuncture can interfere with pain transmission by altering the nervous system’s activity. It affects the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which can inhibit pain signals and enhance analgesic effects. This dual mechanism—both endorphin release and neurotransmitter modulation—enables acupuncture to address pain comprehensively, targeting the underlying causes of the pain.
Acupuncture helps modulate the nervous system through its interaction with nerve endings at specific points along the body. When these points are stimulated by the insertion of acupuncture needles, it is believed to trigger neural activity that sends signals to the brain and spinal cord. This interaction can prompt the central nervous system to adjust the regulation of bodily functions that are normally automatic, such as blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.
The rationale is that by enhancing neural communication pathways, acupuncture may facilitate a more balanced response to physical stressors, potentially improving the body's ability to self-regulate and maintain stability.
Acupuncture's ability to balance neurotransmitters is based on its impact on the central nervous system. By stimulating specific acupuncture points, the approach can modulate the activity of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This process involves altering the synaptic transmission and receptor sensitivity in the brain.
For example, serotonin, which influences mood, sleep, and appetite, can be regulated through acupuncture by increasing its release from neurons. The needles' stimulation can enhance the firing rates of serotonergic neurons in the brainstem, leading to more serotonin being available in the synaptic cleft. This increase helps elevate mood and promote emotional stability, thereby reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Similarly, acupuncture can affect GABA levels by stimulating points that enhance the activity of GABAergic neurons. This results in more GABA release, which in turn binds to its receptors to produce an inhibitory effect on neural activity. By reducing neural excitability, GABA helps to alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of relaxation and calm.
Through these biochemical adjustments, acupuncture helps maintain a stable neurochemical environment, supporting mental health and emotional balance.
When acupuncture needles are placed into the body, they create micro-traumas at the insertion sites. These micro-traumas prompt the body to initiate a healing response, which includes the dilation of local blood vessels to increase blood flow. This response is mediated by the release of histamine and other vasodilatory substances that enhance blood circulation around the affected area.
Additionally, acupuncture can stimulate the release of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation. The insertion of needles activates endothelial cells lining the blood vessels, prompting them to release nitric oxide. This molecule diffuses into the surrounding smooth muscle cells, causing them to relax and the blood vessels to dilate.
This increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to tissues while facilitating the removal of metabolic waste products. Enhanced circulation supports faster recovery from injuries by promoting efficient nutrient delivery and waste removal, helping to improve overall cellular health and function. By leveraging these mechanisms, acupuncture may help maintain optimal circulatory health and support the body's natural healing processes.
Learn about the different types of acupunctures offered in Chinese acupuncture clinics and centres in Singapore:
Traditional acupuncture stands out as a classic form of the practice that harnesses the body’s natural pathways, known as meridians, to encourage the flow of life energy, or Qi. Its primary goal is to promote holistic healing by addressing the root causes of both physical and emotional health issues. Every treatment is carefully tailored to meet the individual’s distinct health profile, ensuring a deeply personalised therapeutic approach.
Electroacupuncture enhances the foundational approaches of traditional acupuncture through the application of a mild electric current. This modern approach amplifies the impact of the inserted needles by passing a small, controlled electrical charge between them, which intensifies stimulation at the acupuncture points. It is particularly helpful for deep-seated, chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, various pain syndromes, and neurological issues.
The combination of electric current and needle insertion aids in areas such as pain management and muscular relaxation, thus providing a comprehensive option for those exploring adjunctive treatment approaches.
Auricular acupuncture uses the ear as a comprehensive map of the body, targeting specific points believed to correspond with different physical and emotional aspects of health. TCM practitioners insert fine needles into these designated ear points, aiming to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes by influencing related internal areas. This approach is distinct in its focus on the ear alone, contrasting with broader approaches that target multiple body points.
The targeted approach of auricular acupuncture is especially valued in addressing stress, anxiety, and addiction, as well as in managing pain. The ear's accessibility and the mapping of numerous connective points make this approach particularly efficient for quick and focused therapeutic sessions.
By directly stimulating these reflex points, auricular acupuncture offers a distinct, localised intervention that complements wider health management practices.
Learn about the various applications of acupuncture in Singapore and why this traditional Chinese practice is worth considering:
Here’s a quick list of individuals who may consider or benefit from acupuncture treatment:
NOTE: Always consult with a qualified TCM practitioner or healthcare professional to determine if acupuncture is suitable for your specific health needs and develop a personalised treatment plan.
While Chinese acupuncture is widely used as part of holistic health approaches, there are certain conditions or situations where it may not be advised. This includes:
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While facial acupuncture treatment in Singapore can help one achieve the same benefits as a typical facial, such as reduce wrinkles, reduce sagginess and improve general skin complexion, this treatment is not a facial treatment and will not include exfoliation, cleansing or masks.
According to one study, after five sessions of Chinese facial acupuncture, the majority of participants observed benefits. However, results can vary from person to person. Typically, this approach may result in a tightening of the general appearance of the skin by restoring blood flow and aiding to enhance collagen formation at recognised and carefully selected places.
One should also note that facial acupuncture is not the same as acupuncture.
They are different services with different benefits and are also priced differently at various acupuncture clinics.
Regular acupuncture serves to treat chronic issues, pain relief, balances the body and resolves most ailments relating to immunity, discomfort and pain.
On the other hand, facial acupuncture serves to rejuvenate the facial skin and promote anti-ageing effects.
Acupuncture practitioners in Singapore look at your tongue for a reason.
Acupuncturists examine the colour, texture, and coating of your tongue. Furthermore, the form of your tongue can show signs of ill health or the lack thereof.
Chinese acupuncture is believed to provide various beneficial effects on the body. It is thought to stimulate the central nervous system through specific acupuncture sites. As a result, chemicals are released into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These metabolic changes may boost physical and mental well-being by stimulating the body’s natural healing capacities.
Depending on the sort of treatment you require, acupuncture sessions in most Chinese acupuncture centres in Singapore might last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.
While acupuncture can cause certain harmful side effects, if you have a knowledgeable, certified TCM acupuncture practitioner who uses sterile needles, the hazards of Chinese acupuncture are minimal.
Moreover, common side effects include soreness, slight bleeding, or bruising at the needle sites. However, these effects will hardly ever cause any pain or health risks and naturally go away after several hours or a few days. With the use of single-use, disposable needles now being the norm in Singapore acupuncture clinics, the risk of infection is very low.
It depends on the individual. Chinese acupuncture is usually well-tolerated without significant discomfort, but some people may experience sensations similar to an ant-bite, soreness, itchiness, or a feeling of heaviness. These sensations are normal and are referred to as “de qi”, indicating the flow of energy inside the body.
Chinese acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed correctly. In reputable acupuncture clinics, the needles used are single-use, sterile and pre-packaged. Therefore, when these standards are adhered to, the risks associated with acupuncture are significantly minimised.
The frequency and number of treatments differ from person to person. While some people experience dramatic relief right from the first Chinese acupuncture treatment session, others may require more sessions. For complex or long-standing chronic conditions, or for treatments that need to recondition the body, more than one session is often needed. Therefore, an individualised treatment plan that includes the expected number of sessions will be discussed during your initial visit to the acupuncture clinic.
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