Acupuncture

 

 

Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing developed over thousands of years as part of the traditional medicine of China. Optimal health, according to traditional Chinese philosophy, is dependent on the body¡¯s motivating energy ¨C know as Qi ¨C Moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels beneath the skin. Illness occurs when the flow of Qi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted.

 

Qi flow can be disturbed by a number of factors including poor nutrition, stress, infections, weather conditions, trauma, and emotional states such as grief, anger, fear or anxiety. In acupuncture, diagnosis and therapy are aimed at identifying any imbalances in the body and correcting them. Treatment usually involves having extremely fine needles inserted into appropriate points along the meridians or energy pathways in the body.

 

At your first consultation, the acupuncturist will need to assess your general state of health in order to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and to give you the most effective treatment. You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, your medical history, your diet, digestive system, sleep patterns and emotional state. Your tongue and pulse will also be examined as these both give a good indication of your physical health. Based on the diagnosis, the appropriate acupuncture points will be selected. The treatment may be supplemented with other methods of stimulation including, cupping or acupressure to encourage the Qi to flow smoothly.

 

Many people will visit an acupuncturist with specific symptoms or conditions, such as pain, anxiety or conditions. While extensive practice and research has shown that acupuncture is effective in helping people with such conditions as well as with many others, it does more than simply relieve symptoms. The aim of traditional acupuncture is to improve the overall well being of a patient, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms. Many people have acupuncture as a preventative treatment.