Acupuncture is one alternative producer that a lot of people not just Filipinos are afraid to try, with it’s association with pins and needles, having a few being poked at you to treat a sickness is not actually their idea of fun. But would you rather suffer through illness than bare a more simpler needles on your body? Doc Philip Nino Tan-Gaute, an acupuncturist, gave us some light as to why Acupuncture is nothing to be afraid of.
Acupuncture, in the narrow sense, refers to the insertion and manipulation of needles into the body, usually at set locations known popularly as “points”. In the broad sense, it refers to a collection of procedures related to needling. The word itself comes from the latin acus meaning “needle” and pungere meaning “to puncture” and it involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles. These needles are then manipulated by hand or by electrical stimulation. Needles can be placed on sites of local pain or on pre-defined acupuncture points that lie on pathways of Qi known as “meridians” or “channels”.
Got a chance to try it over dinner with Doc Philip, I was afraid at first but after poking me in a few minutes, it gave me great relief to my aching shoulders! Nice one Doc!
Acupuncture has a lot of benefits and disorders that it could help add to that is the fact that it does not involve administering or taking any medication, thus, the process could be an alternative for patients that are unable or unwilling to take or to increase medication. A good example are patients on kidney or who have liver failure.
Doc Philip also added that for people who are scared of needles, proper communication with the patient is highly needed. Helping them understand what they will experience and instilling confidence to the practitioner and the whole process would be a great help.
Listed below are some other ideas on how to conquer your fear of Needles in Acupuncture.
1. Listen and Understand – Doctors knows what they are doing, learning to listen to them properly and absorbing the information would definitely help. Acupuncture needles are designed to separate tissue and not penetrate tissue like hypodermic needles, in short, its different from the one being use if you were asked to get blood.
2. Communicate and Share – try to talk to other patients who undergo with the process. Know about their experiences, relate to it and use it to build your confidence. If they have done it, why can’t you? Right?
3. Don’t be Surprise – Asked the doctor clearly on what type of sensation you would expect if ever you were poke in a particular part. Each have different sensations, so better asked so you wouldn’t be surprised when it was done. Some doctors would try to pluck needles on the back, for you not to notice it.That way patients fear is usually conquered. If all else fails, some Doctors do pluck needles on to themselves for patients to see how it is like.
4. Check Credentials – You wouldn’t want to have needles pluck into your body with someone who doesn’t know what he is doing. right? So make a research, look for recommendations in getting the “right” acupuncturist for you. Make sure that the practitioner have studied and pass the exam with Chinese Medicine Theory and not just like a “Cookbook” acupuncture. Each country have different standards as well, also people who start studying Chinese medicine with no previous medical background must study some western medicine, hence they need more time.
5. Think about yourself – Think about the benefits it could give you rather than the pain (if there is so) that you are thinking. Acupuncture could be something that could ease your current or future pain. This process could also be your last hope.Let your mind focus on the after effect rather than the process you’ll underwent.
You can check out Doc Philip Nino Tan-Gaute on FB. visit this link https://www.facebook.com/acupuncturist.manila you can also check his website http://acupuncture.net.ph
Thanks to Ronnie of heliconprojects.com for the photos.
Until our next trip in the City!
またね Mata ne!
