Acupuncture 101: 7 Must-Know Facts Before You Try It

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Acupuncture 101: 7 Must-Know Facts Before You Try It >

Curious about acupuncture but not sure what to expect? This quick read unpacks 7 essential facts, from how it works to what it really feels like, so you can feel more confident stepping into your first session.

1. Sterile and Single-Use Needles

Every acupuncture needle is used once and then safely disposed of. Our Clinics follow strict hygiene standards, so you can rest assured it's clean and safe.

2. Needles Are Hair-Thin

Worried it might hurt? Most first-timers are surprised at how fine the needles are, often as thin as a strand of hair (between 0.12mm & 0.30mm). Many people feel only a slight sensation or nothing at all.

3. Not All Needles Are the Same

Needles come in different lengths and thicknesses. Our TCM physicians select them based on the part of the body being treated and the condition at hand; it’s not one-size-fits-all.

4. Recognised by the W.H.O

The World Health Organization recognises acupuncture as an effective treatment for over 100 conditions, including migraines, back pain, and stress-related disorders.

_{Source: Acupuncture: review and analysis of controlled clinical trials, World Health Organization (W.H.O) 2003}

5. What Will You Feel?

You might experience a dull ache, tingling, or warmth at the needle site. Many report feeling deeply relaxed during or after the session, sometimes even energised.

6. There Are 361 Classical Acupuncture Points

According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O) Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature, your body has 361 primary acupoints. Each one helps regulate energy flow and restore internal balance.

_{Source: Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature World Health Organization (W.H.O) 1993}

5. Back to Balance

Acupuncture is not just for pain. It’s a holistic therapy designed to restore balance across your body systems, from digestion to sleep to mood regulation.

Getting Started with Acupuncture

Acupuncture is widely practised in TCM clinics all over the world and in Singapore. Look for licensed practitioners who are registered with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board to ensure you're in good hands.

Ready to explore acupuncture for yourself?

Book a session or drop by your trusted Eu Yan Sang TCM clinic near you and start your wellness journey, one point at a time.

Get The Right Treatment

6 Signs of Sub Health

A person who has mild symptoms such as a dry mouth or a runny nose can still be unhealthy from a TCM perspective, even without suffering from the usual illnesses like fever or flu. Find out what it means to have sub-health and know some warning signs.

“Sub-health is imbalance in the body that has not developed into an illness yet,” explains Physician Lin Jiayi, who is based at the Eu Yan Sang TCM Clinic at Serangoon Nex.

“A person who has sub-health can just feel uncomfortable. If she goes to a hospital to do a check-up, she would not be diagnosed with a disease.” This is because Western medicine tends to identify illness by the presence of specific pathogens.

However, TCM evaluates health by observing the overall state of the body. While sub-health usually does not cause major discomfort, it indicates an imbalance in the body that might lead to more serious conditions or illness. That is why TCM physicians advise that one should monitor one’s health for symptoms of sub-health.

What causes sub-health?

Imbalance in the organ systems is the most common cause of sub-health.

In TCM, one’s well-being is dependent on the harmonious relationships between five major organs— the Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lungs and Kidneys. In TCM, each organ is a system of functions that is not limited to the functions of the anatomical organs. For example, the Heart is thought to influence the Blood as well as the emotions. The organs also have interdependent relationships with each other: the Heart supports the Spleen, while the Spleen is restricted by the Liver.

Sub-health can be the result of issues in a specific organ or, more typically, issues that affect more than one organ. “When it comes to sub-health, normally more than one organ is causing the problem,” Physician Lin notes.

Common Signs of Sub-health

Signs of sub-health can be easy to overlook. Be aware of these common symptoms.

Sign 1: Insomnia

Possible cause: A common cause of sleeping difficulties is Heart fire — too much Yang or too little Yin in the Heart system. This leads to an excess of heat that disturbs the mind and body. According to Physician Lin, Heart fire often occurs together with Liver fire because the two organs have a close functional relationship.

Sign 2: Irritability

Possible cause: The feeling of being irritated or stressed might be caused by stagnation of Liver Qi, meaning the flow of Qi through the Liver has been impeded. This prevents the Liver from effectively carrying out its functions, which include the regulation of emotions.

Sign 3: Runny nose in the morning

Possible cause: A runny nose or sneezing in the morning may indicate a deficiency in Lung Qi. Other symptoms of deficient Lung Qi include shortness of breath, being susceptible to flu and sweating easily.

Sign 4: Constipation

Possible cause: Deficiency in the Spleen can cause difficulty with bowel movements. Spleen deficiency may also lead to other digestive issues such as bloating and gastric pain. “Many people have deficient Spleen Qi because of their lifestyle,” reveals Physician Lin. “They consume too much junk food and cold drinks, and eat at irregular intervals.”

Sign 5: Frequent urination

Possible cause: A need to pee more frequently, especially at night, might be caused by a deficiency in the Kidney system. Another sign of Kidney deficiency is lower back pain.

Sign 6: Hair loss

Possible cause: Hair loss is often caused by a deficiency in the Kidney and Liver systems. These organs govern the Blood and nourishment of the body, and are closely linked.

Simple remedies for sub-health

To restore a person’s balance, a physician may recommend treatments or diet and lifestyle changes that target specific organs. Here are some possible remedies:

For conditions caused by Heart fire: Drink cooling teas such as Chrysanthemum and Lophatherum Herb (Danzhuye, 淡竹叶). It also helps to go to bed earlier.
For conditions caused by Kidney and Liver deficiency: Take Fleeceflower Root (Heshouwu, 何首乌) which works on the Liver, Kidneys, and Blood.
For conditions caused by weak Spleen: Avoid cold food, cooling food, and raw food.
Do not overeat and have meals at regular intervals.

From the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, your body constitution can be broadly categorized into 10 types. In this one-to-one personal session with the physician, you can find out about your current dominant body constitution. Getting to know one’s body constitution is the first important step towards taking control of your own health. Eu Yan Sang TCM Health Constitution Report includes lifestyle-changing tips and simple recipes that can benefit your particular body. Let the physician be your personal guide to nurse yourself back to optimal wellness.

Eu Yan Sang TCM Health (Body Constitution) Report

At just $48*, Eu Yan Sang’s Comprehensive TCM Health Report includes:

One-to-one detailed consultation with Eu Yan Sang’s qualified TCM Physicians
Diagnosis of your dominant body constitution
13-pager comprehensive report in both English and Mandarin
TCM-based lifestyle recommendations to regain balance

*Additional consultation charge applies at our TCM Centre and Premier TCM Centre, prevailing GST applies.

How To Boost Energy If You Always Feel Tired

According to Jeffrey Ong, a physician with Eu Yan Sang, a well-known name in Asia when it comes to TCM products and services, fatigue can arise from a weak body constitution, overworking one’s body, and an unbalanced diet. A weak body constitution can arise from inborn factors or illness. Lifestyle and work are also major factors as too much can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. An unbalanced diet can harm our digestive tracts. All these can lead to deficiency of yin, yang, qi, and blood in various organs, causing us to be unwell and experience fatigue.

Causes Of Fatigue

weak body constitution
overwork
unbalanced diet

These three factors can lead to deficiency of yin, yang, qi, and blood in various organs

TCM Principles

Some principles of TCM are in tune with conventional medical practices. “When it comes to dealing with fatigue, one of the most important factors is sufficient rest,” says Physician Ong. “Sleep is known to be the best natural remedy, revitalising one’s energy and boosting the immune system. Engaging in some mild aerobic exercises and leisure activities can help to relax one’s body and mind as well. Also, keep to a balanced diet and avoid cold drinks, fried and oily food.”

In TCM theory, there are five major internal organs. “When one suffers from fatigue,” says Physician Ong, “any one of the five may be affected.” In general, however, “fatigue is associated with a weakness in the spleen and kidney.” He goes on to explain that, in TCM, the spleen is largely responsible for nutrition and metabolism while the kidney is in charge of innate essence and growth. “Fatigue is often correlated to these two organs,” he advises. TCM can strengthen these weakened organs via herbal remedies or acupuncture.

Before the fatigue strikes, Physician Ong lets on that there should be some warning signs. Which signs you get depends on your particular body constitution. And your particular body constitution needs to be carefully assessed before a course of treatment can be prescribed, including herbal remedy, acupuncture, tui na, and cupping,” says Physician Ong. Combinations of treatments are sometimes used to increase effectiveness.

If you have anaemia, diabetes, or other diseases, the course of treatment “will be based on the overall diagnosis of the patient’s entire body condition, not specific to certain diseases.” Still, Physician Ong advises patients to notify all their physicians of everything that they are currently taking to prevent herb-drug interaction.

If you are already on a conventional course of treatment for fatigue, Physician Ong assures, “There are many patients who are taking Western medications and using TCM at the same time to complement the treatments.”

Herb Remedies

Here are some TCM herbs that can help to fight fatigue:

American Ginseng: good for people who work long hours and lack rest
Lingzhi: enhances immunity by boosting the function of white blood cells
Chinese Wolfberry: full of beta-carotene, an antioxidant, this herb is effective against tired eyes
Wild Chinese Yam: for people experiencing low energy coupled with digestive problems

Supplements

Besides taking TCM herb, a boost in certain vitamins and minerals could increase energy levels:

Vitamin B12: helps increase energy levels and lift concentration and mood^[1]
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid, Folate): insufficient amount of this vitamin could lead to confusion, depression, lethargy, and slow reaction time^[2]
Vitamin D: a lack of this vitamin, which aids metabolism, could lead to low energy, poor-quality sleep, and mood swings^[3]
Magnesium: vital for adrenal glands, the poor functioning of which can lead to fatigue^[4]

Stimulating Acupoints

So you’ve heard of acupuncture. But you don’t always need an expert to insert needles at the appropriate points. There are certain easy-to-reach acupoints that you can massage about 20–30 times a day to keep yourself stimulated and energised:

He Gu: located on the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones, in the middle of the second metacarpal bone on the radial side, it boosts qi and strengthens the immune system
Bai Hui: located at the intersection of the line connecting the apexes of the two auricles and the median line of the head, it helps improve mental functions, calms nerves, and promotes flow of qi

Case Studies

Physician Ong relates two cases in which he helped tired-out patients using a mix of treatments from the TCM medicine chest.

One was a student burning the midnight oil for a big exam who snacked to stay awake. She soon lost her appetite, turned pale, and her stools became loose. “I diagnosed her condition as a deficiency in spleen qi, and prescribed herbal medication to tonify her spleen and boost the qi of her body,” he reveals. After a week, her condition improved. “She felt much more energised during the day and could perform better in school.”

Another case involved a young working mum. She often felt stressed and frustrated, and had insomnia, dry throat, heart palpitations, and night sweats, which led to all-day lethargy. The lack of energy affected her work; she also had terrible mood swings at work and at home. “I diagnosed her condition as a deficiency in heart yin, manifested in signs of heatiness and restlessness,” says Physician Ong. “I prescribed herbal medication to nourish the yin and clear excess heat in her body; I also performed acupuncture on her to calm her nerves.” After a few more visits, her condition gradually improved and she was able to concentrate better at work.

Now that you know how TCM approaches the treatment of fatigue, you should find out what diseases could be putting you through the wringer.

_{References:
^[1] https://www.myprotein.com/thezone/nutrition/always-tired-best-supplements-beat-extreme-fatigue/
^[2] https://www.myprotein.com/thezone/nutrition/always-tired-best-supplements-beat-extreme-fatigue/}

Eu Yan Sang's Pain Management

The most common types of pain we encounter in our clinics frequently occur in the neck, shoulders, knees, and wrists. These areas are often problematic due to poor posture while standing, sitting, or carrying heavy objects. In recent years, the widespread use of mobile devices and gaming addiction have contributed to neck stiffness. Alarmingly, our youngest patient experiencing such issues was only eight years old.

How Pain Arises

Pain typically arises due to two primary causes:

Pain Caused by Obstruction: Blockages in the flow of ‘Qi’ or blood.
Pain Caused by Weakness: Weakness in ‘Qi’, blood, liver, or kidney functions.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pain can affect every area and organ of the body. TCM excels at managing nerve-related pain through techniques such as acupuncture, scraping, tuina, and cupping. These methods often produce highly positive results. However, for conditions like severe inflammation or bone spurs, patients may benefit from seeking treatment through Western medicine.

Treatment Options in TCM

Several TCM therapies effectively manage pain, including:

There are several ways that TCM can help manage pain, such as cupping, acupuncture, tuina, electromagnetic therapy.

Acupuncture: Involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing.
Cupping: Targets deeper pain and promotes blood flow.
Electromagnetic Therapy: Offers cutting-edge pain relief and enhanced healing by harnessing the power of electromagnetic fields.
Tuina (Therapeutic Massage): Relieves muscle tension and enhances circulation.
Scraping (Gua Sha): Ideal for less severe pain and helps release toxins.
Herbal Medication: Highly concentrated herbal powders customised to individual needs.

Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture offers numerous benefits and is highly effective for addressing various ailments. It can:

Increase Circulation: Targets key points to enhance blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs, reducing stagnation.
Restore Balance: Unblocks meridians to ensure smooth energy flow, aligning with TCM’s principles of balancing ‘Qi’.
Alleviate Pain: Provides targeted relief for conditions such as migraines, muscle tension, and chronic discomfort.

World Health Organization (WHO) Endorsement

In 2003, the World Health Organization recognized acupuncture as an effective treatment for 28 diseases, symptoms, and conditions, while identifying 64 indications where it could be beneficial. These include:

Headaches
Neck pain
Knee pain
Low back pain
Sprains
Sciatica
Rheumatoid arthritis
Tennis elbow

Make an appointment now to relief your pain

Lifestyle Adjustments for Pain Management

While undergoing TCM treatments, patients are encouraged to adopt the following lifestyle changes to maximise recovery and prevent recurrence:

Stay Physically Active: Exercise helps loosen the muscles around the affected area, reducing the risk of pain returning.
Diet changes according to individual Body Constitution or consider consume Pain-Relieving Foods:
- Ginger, Indian Curry, Chili Padi: Contains turmeric, which eases pain and inflammation. For menstrual pain, ginger tea with brown sugar is highly recommended.
- Omega-3: Found in deep-sea fish, it combats inflammation, rheumatism, arthritis, and migraines.
- Coffee: Disrupts pain receptor functions, offering temporary relief. Best for those who do not consume coffee regularly.
- Berries and Cherries: Strawberries, cherries, and blackberries rival the effects of aspirin, boost immunity, and soothe inflammation.

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