Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese system of healing, practiced for thousands of years. It can be used to diagnose and prevent disharmony. Disharmony arises when the flow of Qi and Xue becomes blocked, deficient or excessive. It adjusts the flow of Essential substance (Qi/Vital energy) to overcome deficiencies, disperse excess, dispel dampness, ease dryness, warm Cold, and cool Heat.
What to Expect
Acupuncture is relatively painless. It is done using fine needles, not at all like those of an injection, as they are not hollow, which are inserted into the skin along acupuncture points (around 500 are recognised,). The sensation is described as a tingling or dull ache. If there is a fear of needles acupressure or tapping with a rounded probe are suitable. Although acupuncture can be used for pain relief it is also beneficial as a way of treating a wide range of illnesses. The main aim of acupuncture is to treat the whole person, helping to recover equilibrium between the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the individual. If you are currently on medication then tell your doctor first. Acupuncture may help enable you to reduce or stop some forms of medication, but you should also consult your doctor first.
How it Works and where it can be useful
Western science has two theories as to how acupuncture works. The gate theory: this theory attempts to understand how acupuncture can work as an anaesthetic. It posits the idea that by intercepting the transmission of pain signals along the nerve to the brain, pain impulses never reach the brain. Another theory suggests that it stimulates the release of the bodies own painkillers, called endorphins. A quantitive measure for the Essential substances has not been developed by western science.
Acupuncture has historical and modern researchshowing it can be useful for :-
