Acupuncture Supplies

Poll

	|   |

Author:
Michael Russell

Acupuncture forms part of traditional Chinese medicine. Included are Chinese herbalism, tai chi and chi kung. It is believed that traditional Chinese medicine originated around 2500BC and is one of the oldest forms of treatment. Acupuncture did not really become well known in Western countries until the 1950s, except for the few Chinese practitioners treating Chinese patients in those countries such as Britain. Today, even some orthodox physicians are trained in acupuncture and are incorporating it with western medicine and achieving great results.

Acupuncture is centered on Tao philosophy, like the other forms of Chinese medicine. It is based on the philosophy that a vital energy (force) flows along invisible channels in the body with the inseparable opposing forces of yin and yang, which govern each person. 'Yin' is a masculine, active and positive force and 'yang', a female, passive and negative force. When this energy (chi) freely flows through these invisible channels (meridians) and the yin and yang are balanced, the result is health. If the yin and yang are unbalanced and the chi is blocked, the results become noticeable in the form of illness. The purpose therefore of acupuncture is to correct these imbalances and unblock the meridians, allowing the chi to flow freely once again in the body restoring the patient to physical health. Another form of acupuncture called auricular therapy is based solely on the external ear, which contains its own acupuncture points. This type of therapy is very useful for acute conditions.

People suffering from allergies, asthma, bronchitis and other conditions may benefit by acupuncture. Acupuncture is also helpful in relieving pain. Acupuncture aids the body to release its very own pain-reliever, known as endorphins, which has effects similar to morphine. The success of the acupuncture also depends on the responsiveness of the patient. Some people seem to be more responsive than others especially children that receive treatment.

During the initial consultation the practitioner will ask questions about the patients history, the present complaint, life style, diet and exercise routines and emotional health. Skin colour, the state of the nails, eyes and tongue, body odour and careful examination of the pulse points form part of the diagnosis. The human body contains 59 meridians and about 1000 pressure points. To treat imbalances the acupuncturist will stimulate the pressure points that occur along the meridians. Inserting fine, solid needles into the skin, applying heat and fingertip pressure form part of stimulation. The points involved are usually found on the forearms, hands, feet and lower legs. Sometimes all three methods of stimulation may be used. Treatment may include recommendations on diet and exercise.

Always ensure you choose a fully trained and registered practitioner when seeking acupuncture treatment. Inform the practitioner of any orthodox treatment you may be receiving before diagnosis or treatment in acupuncture. Acupuncture is most often used in conjunction with Chinese herbalism, as it can be contraindicated with some forms of complementary therapy. Parents should always consult an acupuncturist who has had special training in the treatment of children, before embarking on a diagnosis in acupuncture. The treatment for children will consist mainly of fingertip pressure (acupressure) to the relevant acupuncture points, rather than applying the more traditional method of needles.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Acupuncture

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Acupuncture... Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia: Proven and Painless As one of the leading alternative therapies, acupuncture involves the insertion of sterile needles into the skin. In acupuncture theory, the primary reason for pain and illness is congested energy (qi). Congested qi and its human repercussions are analogous to a heavy storm’s debris clogging a creek’s thoroughfare, preventing water flow downstream of the obstruction. To initiate qi’s unobstructed movement, acupuncture needles are strategically placed in the body. Acupuncturists aim to free any blocked qi (the most common cause of pain), which ensures optimal health. Used as a primary healthcare method for over 5,000 years, acupuncture has a lot to offer people suffering from fibromyalgia. Many research studies have supported the use of acupuncture for various pain and fatigue disorders. However, the variability in acupuncture’s diagnosis and treatment strategies makes it challenging to study. While a western medical doctor will traditionally prescribe the same protocol for everyone with the same disorder, acupuncturists assess each individual in terms of their specific energetic imbalance. Therefore, ten people with fibromyalgia will likely receive ten different energetic diagnoses, and are subsequently administered a customized treatment plan. Proven With over 6 million Americans battling fibromyalgia, and no effective western medical treatment to relieve its symptoms, more people than ever are turning to the successes of alternative medicine. Although dozens of alternative methods may taut themselves as effective in conquering fibromyalgia, few have the scientific proof to support these claims. Published in the March/April 2006 edition of Alternative Therapies, acupuncture therapy is finally proven to have a significant therapeutic advantage in treating...