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Acupuncture |
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| Introduction |
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art developed in
China over 4000 years ago. Unlike allopathic medicine, chinese medicine recognizes
imbalance and disharmonies long before any abnormality can be measured with diagnostic
tests such as blood tests or X-rays.
Though acupuncture can be beneficial at any stage of "disease", its power lies
mostly in its ability to treat imbalance before it becomes manifested as an illness.
As such, acupuncture is a preventative intervention - one aimed at assisting the
individual in maintaining a state of harmony and wellness.
In Chinese medicine, illness results from obstructed or inharmonious flow of
"Qi"(pronounced 'chi') or energy in the meridian systems and from an imbalance
between the systems within the body. While Western doctors start with a symptom, then look
for a specific cause, traditional chinese medicine regards the symptom as part of a
"pattern of disharmony". back to top |
| Principle of
Acupuncture |
Acupuncture, is a way of adjusting the body's
"life energy" (Qi or Chi) flow. It involves the insertion of hair-thin needles
into carefully selected acupuncture points along the meridians (energetic pathways) of the
body. It helps to reestablish the harmonious flow of Qi and balances the forces of Yin and
Yang. The acupuncture points are selected on the basis of your health condition from
unique pulse and tongue diagnosis, observation and questioning.
Each point has specific functions and indications. The stimulation of these points by
needles leads to a balance of energy forces and this is responsible for cure of diseases
caused by imbalance of body energy. The choice of points used in a treatment is based on
an extensive history and an examination of the tongue and pulses. The information gathered
allows the practitioner to understand the symptoms in the context of the patient's
"biopsychotype", i.e., their personality and where they tend to be vulnerable
within their body.
All the acupoints affect the meridian system. Each meridian has a specific effect on a
specific body system or organ of the body. By restoring harmonious function in the body
and the mind, most symptoms of disease can be effectively treated.
In acupuncture it is important to trace the history back to its roots to understand where
the initial imbalance occurred. This allows for the most optimal and integrated approach
to treatment, in helping to realign the individual to a state of harmony. Acupuncture is
useful not only for treating medical and pain conditions but also in helping individuals
to reconnect to their core selves, thus promoting general health and well - being. Many of
the points and meridians influence the "shen" or spirit and can be helpful in
reconnecting with creativity, calming the mind and assisting with life transformations.
It has been proved by clinical trial that acupuncture strengthens the immune system and
serves to prevent disease, control pain and increase both the ability to function and the
quality of people's lives. Acupuncture is not just a tool for the relief of pain. It has
wide therapeutic applications, treating diseases that affect the body as a whole. Although
its strength lies in the area of functional disorders, it can be used to treat both acute
and chronic disease, including infections, in both children and adults. In addition to
acupuncture, Chinese medicine, in its totality, also encourages the practice of proper
exercise (Qi Gong or Tai Chi), proper diet, proper breathing (Qi Gong), Chinese massage,
astrology, herbology and Feng Shui (the art of creating a harmonious and health enhancing
environment).
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| Yin and Yang |
Yin qualities are typically coldness, weakness,
hollowness, and dark, while Yang is characterised by the qualities of heat, strength,
solidity, and light. 'Yin' stands for peace, endurance, weakness and 'Yang stands for
all positive influences like strength, warmth, sun, heaven.
The attraction between Yin and Yang creates a vital energy known as Qi or Chi. This
energy flows within the body through 14 channels known as the Meridians. Although the
meridians cannot be seen by the naked eye, modern science can detect its existence through
electricity. These meridians are connected to the major organs in the body, and Qi
provides the energy for the efficient functioning of these organs. As long as the
forces of Yin and Yang are balanced the individual is in a state of good health. However
if an imbalance in the flow of energy arises, an illness occurs. There are more than 360
specific points along the meridians called "Acupoints" connected to organs or
systems in the body. Needling produces subjective sensations like pain, numbness,
soreness, heaviness and distension. The beneficial effects of acupuncture are
pain-relieving effects, sedation effects, maintaining the normal balance of the body and
improving the immunity of the body.
When acupuncture points are stimulated, it changes the flow of bioelectrical energy along
the nerves and releases neurotransmitters, primarily endorphins, which are the body's pain
relievers, the same chemical that produces a sense of relaxation. The release of
painkilling endorphins plays a big role in the functioning of the hormonal system. This is
why acupuncture works well for headache, neck pain, back pain and arthritis. Endorphin
release through acupuncture not only relaxes the whole body but also regulates serotonin
in the brain. This is why depression is often effectively treated with acupuncture.
People often are apprehensive about using a treatment such as acupuncture for their
illnesses. They are scared to insert the needles into their body. In reality, the needles
for acupuncture are very different from the conventional hypodermic needles.
Acupuncture needles do not have a cutting end like most hypodermic needles. These
needles are gently placed at the gateways of the body, and when this is done people may
feel a sting but not real pain.
Most patients find the treatment very relaxing. As a sign of obtaining the vital energy,
some patients may have a slight sensation of soreness, numbness, distention, or heaviness
around the needles. However, there is no harmful effect from the therapy in common
practice. Therefore, people who suffer from lingering or chronic diseases and do not
respond well to orthodox medicine are particularly encouraged to try this promising
Chinese art of healing.
Acupuncture treatment is based on an individualized pattern diagnosis as well as a
disease diagnosis. Each person is unique. Therefore, the treatment plan is individualized.
The frequency of subsequent visits varies, depending on the type of illness, the severity
of the condition, the duration of sickness, and patient's response to the treatment.
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| New Research |
Today newer forms of acupuncture are available, like
the electrical acupuncture and aculaser treatment. Electrical acupuncture stimulates the
acupoints, electrically through acupuncture needles, whereas aculaser involves the
stimulation of accupressure points through soft laser. This treatment has more acceptability since
it avoids the use of needles and therefore eliminates the fear of blood borne diseases
like aids and hepatitis.The fear of pain is also eliminated.
The conditions that best respond to acupuncture therapy are osteoarthritis, spondilitis,
migraine, asthma, post - operative pain relief, obesity, diabetes and many others.
There are specialized clinics run by acupuncturists but nowadays hospitals too have this
therapy for the benefit of their patients. back to top |
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