An imbalance of yin and yang results in an obstruction of energy or Qi in the body.
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile, single use, disposable needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s energy pathways (meridians) to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of energy, or Qi, through the body.
The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including acupressure, moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order to rebalance the flow of Qi.
In this way, acupuncture can assist in the removal of disease in the body by addressing imbalances and removing blockages within the body. This allows the body to then heal itself physically. It also helps PREVENT dysfunction of the body - through identifying and addressing imbalances BEFORE they manifest physically.
The first documentation of acupuncture that described it as an organised system of diagnosis and treatment is in The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, which dates back to 100 BCE.
Chinese medicine theory grew out of ancient China’s dualistic cosmic theory of yin and yang. The yin, the female principle, is passive and dark and is represented by the earth; the yang, the male principle, is active and light and is represented by the heavens.
The forces of yin and yang act in the body as they do throughout the natural universe as a whole. Disease or physical disharmony is caused by an imbalance, and the goal of Chinese medicine is to bring the yin and the yang back into balance with each other, thus restoring the person to health.
An imbalance of yin and yang results in an obstruction of energy or Qi in the body. Qi flows through 12 meridians, or pathways, in the body, each in turn associated with a major organ (liver, kidney, etc.) and with a functional body system.
Acupuncture is designed to affect the distribution of yin and yang in these channels so that the qi or energy will be enabled to flow freely and harmoniously and so health is restored.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also identified acupuncture as effective in treating a vast amount of conditions such as back pain, shoulder pain, pelvic pain, emotional disorders (anxiety, stress, depression), sleep issues, migraines, and digestive issues amongst others. A comprehensive list of the WHO recommendations is available online: https://www.acupuncture.org.uk/public-content/public-traditional-acupuncture/4026-who-list-of-conditions.html
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is designed to affect the distribution of yin and yang in the channels…….
so that the qi or energy will be enabled to flow freely and harmoniously.
Aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Cupping
Cupping therapy is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice that people use to treat a variety of conditions. It involves placing cups at certain points on a person's skin. A practitioner creates suction in the cups, which pulls against a person's skin.
Cupping typically leaves mild round bruises on a person's skin which typically fade after a few days however symptoms are usually minimal.
The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and sedate the nervous system. Cupping is used to relieve back and neck pains, stiff muscles, anxiety and fatigue.
Moxa or Moxibustion
Moxa is a type of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves burning moxa, a cone or stick made of ground mugwort leaves, on or near your body's meridians and acupuncture points.
It can be used to prevent diseases and maintain health as part of tonification treatments to help strengthen the organs and immune system. It warms the meridians and expels cold. It can be used to promote circulation over areas of chronic pain or muscle tension and also used in the treatment of turning breech babies.
Electro Acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture is an enhancement to traditional acupuncture. Electro-acupuncture is used mainly to treat pain, musculo-skeletal and neurological disorders and involves passing a mild electrical current between two needles and is very effective at improving Qi and blood circulation.
Laser Acupuncture
Laser therapy is the stimulation of traditional acupuncture points with low-intensity, non-thermal laser. It is non-invasive and offers an alternative to traditional needling, especially for babies and children.