Acupuncture: ancient holistic healing
| Published: 19th January 2008 10:46 |
Acupuncture: ancient holistic healing
A few decades ago, the British nation would have been sceptical of sticking needles in people to make them better. But now acupuncture is a widely used complementary therapy and can help with a huge variety of conditions.
The use of acupuncture dates back about 2,500 years in China and other countries in the Far East. Stone needles were used first, followed later by bronze, gold and silver versions.
Acupuncture was born from the Daoist philosophy of change, growth, balance and harmony. Although it has been practised in rural communities for millennia, it was not a national interest until the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949, which encouraged traditional Chinese medicine as opposed to Western medicinal practices.
Skilled practitioners aim to improve the overall health of a patient, rather than target specific symptoms.
It is a system of healing that taps into energy flows of the natural body. According to ancient Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy - known as qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way. This energy is said to flow through a serious of channels called meridians, beneath the skin.
The energy flow consists of equal and opposite qualities, yin and yang, and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. The flow of qi can be disturbed by a number of factors, including anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and body trauma.
How acupuncture works
In acupuncture, practitioners insert fine needles into the channels of energy and aim to stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore natural balance. The principal aim of acupuncture is to treat the whole person and rediscover equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.
The benefits of this treatment include relief from specific conditions such as pain control, arthritis, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, menstrual problems and infertility and often promote increased energy levels, better appetite and sleep.
Diagnosis
The first consultation will be an assessment of your general health. The practitioner will need to assess and identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and find out what is causing the disruption in your energy flows.
You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, says the Britsh Accupunture Council (BAcC). You will be asked about your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. This will be followed by an analysis of the structure, colour and coating of your tongue, which will give a good guide to your physical health.
To discover how the energies are flowing in your body, the acupuncturist is likely to feel your pulses on both wrists, noting their quality, rhythm and strength. The aim is to discover which energy channels need adjusting for your specific complaint.
Treatment
During your course of treatment, your acupuncturist will choose a selection of 10 or 12 acupuncture points per treatment from a possible 500 points around your body. A fine needle is inserted from between a second or two to 30 minutes or more.
A smoldering herb called moxa may be used to warm the inserted needle. This helps to encourage the body's energy to flow smoothly.
If you are frightened of needles, there are modern methods of stimulating acupuncture points, including lasers or electro-acupuncture, massage or tapping with a rounded probe.
When the needle is inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache, says BAcC. During treatment patients commonly experience a pleasant feeling of relaxation.
There are more than 2,500 qualified acupuncturists registered with the British Acupuncture Council. Visit the organisation's website at http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/ or call 020 8735 0400 to find your nearest registered practice.
Community Comment:
Add your comment:
You will need to sign in to post a comment to this article. if you do not have an AboutMyArea account, you can join now for free.
