Geraldine Dooley Physiotherapy
Chartered Physiotherapist - Craniosacral Therapist - Licensed Acupuncturist
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Geraldine studied Acupuncture in the College of Integrated Acupuncture in Galway, between 2005 and 2008, and now holds a licence to practice Acupuncture. She is a member of Acupro.
Acupuncture originally developed as an element of Traditional medicine (TCM). Chinese medical theory is based on the belief that energy known as "qi" flows through the body's tissues and organs along a network of invisible channels called meridians. This energy regulates all physical, emotional and mental processes. Imbalances or blockages in an individual's qi result in illness. The goal of Acupuncture is to restore balance and harmony in the body by inserting fine needles into particular points on the meridians to control the flow of qi.
In 2003, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a review and analysis of controlled clinical trials on acupuncture. They listed the following as Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which acupuncture has been proved to be an effective treatment:
- Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
- Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
- Biliary Colic
- Depression
- Dysentery, acute bacillary
- Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
- Epigastralgia, acute (in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, and gastrospasm)
- Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
- Headache and migraine
- Hypertension
- Hypotension
- Induction of labour
- Knee pain
- Leukopenia
- Low back pain
- Correction of malposition of foetus
- Morning sickness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neck pain
- Pain in dentistry (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction)
- Periarthritis of shoulder
- Postoperative pain
- Renal colic
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sciatica
- Sprain
- Stroke
- Tennis elbow
Also, the WHO listed several dozen additional conditions for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown but for which furthur proof is needed. These include such conditions as:
- Bronchitis, Coughs, Asthma, Pneumonia, Flu and Common cold
- Angina, palpitations and other heart problems
- Anorexia, Bulemia, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Phobias, Hyperactivity, Schizophrenia
- Stress, Emotional problems and Addictions
- Oedema
- Skin problems
- Haemorrhoids
- Ulcers, gallstones, Gastric problem
- Tinnitus, earache
- Facial palsy, facial pain
- Insomnia
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Dizzyness
- Joint problems, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder
- Thyroid problems
- M.E
- M.S., stroke and other neuroligical conditions
- Menstrual problems, Hot flushes, Infertility, Habitual miscarriage, Morning sickness
- vaginal discharges, Prolapses, Fibroids, Lactation problems, Thrush
An acupuncture session involves the insertion of very fine, sterile, disposable needles into specific points along the energy meridians. The length of time they remain in the body varies between a few seconds to as long as thirty minutes. The number of sessions needed to treat a particular condition varies depending on the condition and the patient's general health. A lengthy initial assessment is standard for a TCM practitioner in order to ascertain the patient's general health and to diagnose the condition.