Acupuncture

Acupuncture in Helsinki – drug-free relief for pain and calming of the nervous system

Are you looking for a drug-free way to relieve chronic pain or calm your nervous system? Acupuncture is a thousands-year-old form of treatment that aims to do just that: promote the well-being of your body and mind. Here we explain what acupuncture is, where it comes from and how it can help you feel better.

What ailments does Balancia treat with acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment method originally developed in Chinese medicine, in which thin, sterile needles are inserted into carefully selected acupuncture points on the body. Acupuncture is a truly effective method for pain relief, especially for musculoskeletal disorders. It helps stimulate your body’s own nervous pain relief mechanisms. We treat the following conditions with acupuncture:

  • Other muscle tension and pain conditions
  • Joint pain
  • Migraine
  • Various types of headaches
  • TMD (temporomandibular joint) problems
  • Sleep disorders
  • Chronic pain
  • Neck and shoulder tension
  • Other muscle tension and pain conditions

A Journey Back in Time: The Roots of Acupuncture

Did you know that acupuncture originated thousands of years ago in ancient China? It is a deeply rooted part of the holistic philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The oldest records of acupuncture date back over 2,000 years!

In Chinese medicine, pain is a sign that the body’s energy, or Qi, is blocked. The body’s channels, called meridians, contain acupoints that are stimulated with thin needles to allow Qi to flow freely. In addition to pain symptoms, acupuncture is used to treat numerous diseases and is also used as a fertility treatment. Important factors in the design of the treatment are Yin & Yang and the five basic elements; fire, water, wood, metal and earth.


Acupuncture according to Western medicine

In recent decades, acupuncture has also been studied extensively in Western medicine from a neurophysiological perspective. Although Western medicine does not recognize all of the factors mentioned above, acupuncture has been found to have calming effects on the nervous system and has been found to bring effective relief to many people from various pain conditions.

Several studies support the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating various health problems, especially in relieving chronic pain. For example, the prestigious Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has several reviews that confirm the positive effects of acupuncture. Research results show that acupuncture can stimulate the nervous system and release your body’s own pain-relieving substances, such as endorphins.

Treatment process: Step by step towards feeling better

Acupuncture treatment always begins with a thorough initial assessment. We will discuss your health and symptoms with you so that we can tailor a treatment plan that best suits you.


The treatment itself usually progresses as follows:

  1. Cleaning: We first clean and disinfect the areas where the needles will be inserted
  2. Point selection: A trained therapist will select the acupuncture points that are best suited to you.
  3. Needle placement: The thin needles are gently inserted and left to act for about 20–30 minutes.

Many of our clients feel deeply relaxed after the treatment.

Are you ready to experience the benefits of acupuncture for yourself?

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Most people find the acupuncture sensation very mild. The needles are significantly thinner than those used for blood tests, for example.

The insertion may feel like a slight pinch, but the treatment itself is often relaxing. Many clients even doze off while the needles are in place.

During the initial visit, we will review your symptoms, health status, and treatment goals.

The acupuncture treatment itself typically lasts about 20–30 minutes per area, while the total duration of the appointment depends on the time slot you have booked. At Balancia, acupuncture treatments can be booked based on the number of areas treated: 1 area, 2 areas, or 3+ areas.

Acupuncture can also be added as a supplementary service to a massage, in which case the acupuncture session is included within the booked massage time. For example, if you book a 60-minute massage and select acupuncture as an add-on, the acupuncture portion will take up approximately 20 minutes of that booked time.

It depends on the condition being treated and the duration of the symptoms.

Sometimes a single treatment session can provide relief, but for long-standing or recurring symptoms, the best results are often achieved through multiple sessions. During your appointment, we will assess your situation and recommend further treatment if necessary.

After the treatment, you may feel relaxed or even tired. Some people may experience a temporary intensification of symptoms before they subside.

We recommend avoiding strenuous physical activity immediately after the treatment and allowing your body time to recover.

In principle, yes, it is possible. However, it is worth noting that you might find it difficult to relax, even though the treatment itself is painless.

If you are interested in trying acupuncture despite a fear of needles, we at Balancia recommend combining it with a massage. This allows the body to relax and the nervous system to calm down during the massage, making the subsequent acupuncture feel less daunting.

A fear of needles is surprisingly common, so please feel free to let us know about it before the treatment begins. The session always proceeds at a calm pace, respecting your wishes, and needles are never inserted without your consent.

Yes.

Acupuncture can be combined with massage during the same visit. Many clients find that this combination is effective for treating both muscle tension and pain.

Acupuncture is suitable for most adults, but in some situations, the treatment may need to be postponed or modified.

For example, if you have a fever, an acute infection, or another sudden illness, the appointment should be rescheduled for a later date.

If you are pregnant, taking blood-thinning medication, or have any other health condition that you think might affect the treatment, please consult your doctor first and inform us at the clinic. This ensures that the treatment is carried out safely and tailored to your specific situation.

At Balancia, acupuncture is used specifically to treat various pain conditions and muscle tension. It can be beneficial for issues such as tightness in the neck and shoulder area, symptoms related to jaw muscles, migraines, headaches, chronic pain, and other musculoskeletal ailments.

Treatment is always tailored to your individual needs, based on your symptoms and goals.