How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture works by adjusting the circulation of energy (Qi) in the body and balancing that energy. This then promotes the body to heal itself. Traditional Chinese Medicine includes the therapies of Body Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, Electro-Magnetic Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Cupping therapy, all of which are practiced at the Harmony Clinic.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is over 5000 years old and it has identified 14 main energy channels in the body that work together to maintain balance in the body. TCM recognises that blockages in the body cause an imbalance and this over time will lead to “dis-ease” in the body. Acupuncture points provide gateways to direct, redirect, increase or decrease these flows of energy.

Acupuncture releases pain relieving chemicals and endorphins such as serotonin and it also reduces inflammation by stimulating the body’s pituitary gland to reduce cortisol, a hormone which is known to reduce inflammation.

What does Acupuncture Offer

Harmony Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to the patient and treats both the body and the mind simultaneously.

  • Drug Free Pain Relief
  • Prevention against disease
  • A Holistic Approach to Illness
  • Holistic Approach to unifying the body and the mind

What our Client’s Say

More Energy & Better Sleep
Acupuncture has transformed me physically and mentally. My digestion is better than ever and my energy and sleep pattern has been the best in years. I would definitely recommend it.
Elaine O'Donovan - Skehard Road, Cork
Anxiety
I feel a huge weight has been lifted from me. I have a sense of ease and peace in myself that had been taken away from me by financial and emotional circumstances. My ulcerative colitis is now in remission, I sleep and no longer wake up in the middle of the night. I no longer take any medication (not even a headache table) as the effects of acupuncture are so strong. I couldn’t breath and now I can.
Martina Carroll - Blackrock, Cork
Premature Ovarian Failure
My initial visit to Rachel was for Acupuncture. I had been diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure some years previous and was struggling to cope with the symptoms and other complications that came with it. Her friendly but professional manner and her empathy put me at ease immediately and meant that I could talk to her openly and comfortably about my illness. The results of the treatment were excellent, my symptoms disappeared and the other complications were also non existent so I went on my way
Liz Cronin, Cork
Rachel is a very thorough and masterful acupuncturist. She takes a holistic approach to treatment, I felt she asked pertinent questions and listened to what I was saying while also tuning in to physical signals. She explained her diagnosis and treatment plan very clearly and I really trusted her. All in all a very positive first experience for me and I would recommend Rachel highly.
Deirdre Looney, Cork

Harmony Acupuncture Treatments

Here are just some of the treatments we offer at Harmony Acupuncture

According to recent statistics between 1994 and 2010 there was a 150% increase in women over the age of 40 having children. After the age of 35 a woman’s fertility drops significantly. Luckily there are ways to help boost fertility. Acupuncture & Diet!

Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture has been successfully treating infertility for over 2000 years and more recently Western Medicine is accepting that Chinese Medicine works either as a support or as an alternative in aiding a successful pregnancy.

For most of acute pain, acupuncture relives pain in about five minutes, this is much quicker than most pain killers. The response of the body to acupuncture for chronic pain may take a little longer. We treat pain with a number of devices including Electromagnetic Acupuncture and Heat Therapy which can vary the intensity of the treatment according to your needs.

In the case of severe disc trauma, acupuncture can be very useful when physical manipulation through chiropractic care is too painful or undesirable by the patient. Here, Acupuncture can provide a very gentle but highly effective treatment. The Harmony Clinic has extensive experience of treating both Lumbar, Thoracic and Sacral Backpain.

Approximately 15% of babies are in the ‘feet down’ breech position between weeks 29-32 of pregnancy. Most eventually settle into a ‘head down’ position but a small percentage remain in the breech position until labour.
Skillful midwives can turn a baby by doing an external cephalic version (ECV) but if unsuccessful then the baby often has to be delivered by caesarean section. Women are keen to avoid such intervention and pleased to hear that a simple acupuncture treatment can turn their baby. In fact research shows a 75% success rate with those using acupuncture compared to 46% in the control group.
There is now compelling evidence that migraine and chronic tension-type respond well to acupuncture. The first Cochrane Review on acupuncture for idiopathic headache appeared in 2001 and since then a large number of randomised, controlled acupuncture trials have been published with the authors concluding that acupuncture is an effective treatment option for both these conditions.
Regardless of the type of headache the aim of acupuncture is to normalise the activity in the brain through regulating hormones and neurotransmitters. The pituitary gland produces endorphins which act as the bodies natural painkillers and release the bodys “Feel Good Factor” – Serotonin. Research has shown that insertion of acupuncture needles into certain points in the body trigger a release of their endorphins thus why acupuncture can reduce pain and induce deep relaxation.
Symptoms of Sinusitis include yellow nasal discharge from the front and back of the nose, blocked nose, frontal headache, pain in and around the sinuses, muzziness and fogginess in the head.
In long term sinusitis sufferers the problem can be anatomical as infection and inflammation make the very narrow cavities prone to even further blockage. As the cavities are so narrow and so deep infections are slow to react to antibiotics. Acupuncture & Electromagnetic get the body to heal itself but activating endorphins and the area and stimulating the area with an electromagnetic pulse which will unblock the area.
Insomnia is classified in four types:

  1. Difficulty falling asleep (sleep onset insomnia),
  2. Frequent or sustained awakenings (sleep maintenance insomnia),
  3. Early morning awakenings (sleep offset insomnia); and
  4. Persistent sleepiness regardless of sleep of adequate duration (non restorative sleep).

Acupuncture can help beat insomnia as it stimulates the nervous system which causes a release of neuro-chemical messengers which influence the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, and this promotes physical and emotional wellbeing. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and de-activating the “analytical” brain which is responsible for insomnia and anxiety.