:: Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy ::

What is it?

Acupuncture point injection therapy involves the injection of small amounts of saline solution or sterile water administered by qualified acupuncturists. Like acupuncture, fine needles are inserted into acupuncture points or trigger points just under the skin or into muscles. As the name suggests, this therapy evolved from acupuncture and has long been a therapy used by acupuncturists in China.

How Does it Work?

Acupuncture point injection therapy may work in several ways. Injection of saline or sterile water into acupuncture points activates them in a similar way to the insertion of acupuncture needles. The major difference being, the bolus of saline or sterile water can activate the acupuncture point for a longer period of time enhancing the therapeutic effect.

Saline solution is an isotonic solution containing the same salt concentrations as our cells, blood and interstitial fluid (the fluid between our cells). In cases of chronic illness or acute injury the interstitial fluid may become congested with the waste products of inflammation from injured tissue, preventing the efficient nutrient and waste product transfer between the cells and the bloodstream. The injection of saline may improve the quality of the interstitial fluid allowing nutrient and waste product transfer between the cells and bloodstream to occur efficiently again. Saline, being pH neutral, may have its own particular effects on alkalising local connective tissues, and possibly optimising conditions for the body’s self healing mechanisms.

Sterile water BP is a hypo-tonic solution containing lower solute concentrations than our cells, blood and interstitial fluid. The injection of sterile water BP provides an enhanced noxious stimulation.

Acupuncture point injection therapy does not simply suppress or mask pain, but rather prompts the body to treat the cause of the pain via self healing mechanisms.

How many treatments will I need?

Many patients do notice a positive response to their pain levels shortly after treatment.
However most conditions require a number of treatment sessions for the full benefits to take effect.

Does it hurt?

Most people, especially those who are apprehensive about injections are surprised how easy and quickly these injections can be given. In fact, saline injections generally should not be compared with many injections given in conventional medicine. The needles used are very fine and are more like acupuncture needles. The injections are typically painless or only mildly uncomfortable.

What is injected?

Currently the only solutions used for acupuncture point injection therapy are saline solution BP and serile water BP.  The letters BP following the name signify that it complies with the British Pharmacopoeia, the reference standard for medicines in Australia.

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