Concept
Acupuncture is one treatment in the broader system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which is based on the concept of an energy flow through the body, Qi.
The word Acupuncture is a European term meaning “to prick with needles”. This ancient form of healing has evolved over thousands of years and is now well established world-wide with 2 mains styles:
- Traditional Chinese acupuncture
- Western medical acupuncture.
By inserting fine needles at specific points, the body is encouraged to heal and restore its natural balance. It is a side effect free, natural way back to health.
Acupuncture points lie along invisible energy channels called meridians which are linked to the internal organs. By needling these points, a therapist can unblock and increase or decrease the flow of energy through the meridians in order to balance the whole body, including emotional and physical disturbances, as acupuncture has a holistic principle of healing.
A key principal of acupuncture is based on the belief that the body has the ability to heal itself and naturally tends to harmonise with its environment and the cycle of the seasons. Therefore by maintaining the equilibrium and/or re-balancing the energies, the symptoms of the patient complaints will disappear as the root cause will be addressed.
Traditional Chinese medicine views the body as a balance between two opposing yet complementary natural forces: Yin and Yang, and work according to the theory of the 5 elements.
The Five Element theory is based on the observation of the natural cycle of the seasons and the interrelationships in both our environment and within ourselves.
| YIN | YANG |
|---|---|
| Female | Male |
| Passive | Active |
| Darkness | Light |
| Moisture | Dryness |
| Coldness | Heat |
| Swelling… | Contraction… |
_
Yin force is female, passive and tranquil. Yang force is male, aggressive and stimulating. Any unbalance is believed to cause diseases and ailments.
For example:
| Too much Yin | Too much Yang |
|---|---|
| Dull ache & pains | Sudden pain |
| Chilliness | Inflammation |
| Fluid retention | Spasms |
| Discharges | Headache |
| Tiredness | High blood pressure |
_
In order to plan individual treatments, a full medical history will be taken into account (also lifestyle, diet, exercise, quality of sleep, digestion etc.). There is no limitation in terms of age or particular complaints, as oriental medicine treats people and not conditions. Traditional acupuncturists use Chinese diagnosis and follow ancient sets of rules to select the points.
They will inspect the tongue, skin, palpate the abdomen, analyse the posture, movement, breathing, sound of the voice, likes and dislikes etc. and feel the pulse on each wrist, representing the organ functions, to diagnose disturbances in the flow of Qi and vital substances like blood and fluid, and any diseases of the internal organs.