Acupuncture Explained

Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese medicine that has an uninterrupted history of more than 2500 years. Even in our modern society, Acupuncture continues to enable people to recieve relief from a wide range of health issues. Acupuncture is a system of healing often thought of as only a form of pain relief. In fact it is used to treat a wide range of illness. Its focus is to improve the overall wellbeing of the patient, rather than an isolated treatment for specific symptoms.

Traditional Chinese philosophy explains the human body as having an invisible, uninterrupted circulation of continuous, motivated life energy, known as Qi. The Qi energy moves in a smooth balanced flow through a series of channels or meridians that lies beneath the skin. A trained practitioner is able to detect areas of Qi blockage with the use of traditional pulse diagnosis which greatly enhances the effectiveness of a treatment.

Qi consists of equal and opposing energies that assist the body to maintain homeostasis. These qualities are Yin and Yang, and if these energies become unbalanced, illness may result. The balance of Qi can become disturbed for a number of reasons. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief. Other factors include, poor nutrition, overwork, hereditary issues, infections, poisons and trauma. The aim of the treatment is to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.

Acupuncture treatments involve the insertion of very fine sterile needles into specific sites along the body's channels of energy to clear any energy blockages. Medically, the needles are stimulating the the body’s nervous system to initiate the body’s own healing response to these fine foreign objects. Chemicals are released to restore the natural energy balance. The treatment can also include stimulation of the acupuncture points with moxibustion heat therapy, suction cupping, laser therapy, and massage to improve the flow of Qi.

When one is healthy, an abundant and continuous supply of Qi flows throws the channels of the entire body, giving us the feeling of vitality and life. Acupuncture is a totally natural form of healing that can provide drug free pain relief. It is not known to give antagonistic effects when combined with the use of medical drugs.

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