Therapies - Acupuncture

Acupuncture, What is it?

Acupuncture is part of a medical system whose origins go back over 2,000 years. Two classics of Chinese medicine, the Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine) and the Nan Jing (The Classic of Difficult Issues) which were compiled in the first or second centuries B.C., discuss theories which still underlie Chinese medicine. These include Yin and Yang, the idea that Qi energy flows through channels in the body, pulse diagnosis and the functioning of internal organs.

Theories...

According to traditional theories, when our health is out of balance, this is reflected as excess and deficiencies of Qi in the channels that pass along our bodies, and in the internal organs which these channels are connected to. By diagnosing and treating the channels and the internal organs, harmony can be restored. Acupuncture can thus be used to treat both external problems (relating to the channels) and internal problems (relating to the organs).

Holistic...

From these ancient texts, we can also see that Chinese medicine places importance on the physical and emotional as well as spiritual levels; it advocates living a balanced healthy life, in tune with natural environmental cycles. Although acupuncture has developed greatly over the centuries, the same principles underlie traditional acupuncture to this day. It is now recognised as a complete holistic medical system with proven efficacy the world over.

Diagnosis...

A traditional Chinese diagnosis is based on the Eight Principles of Internal & External, Hot & Cold, Full & Empty and Yin & Yang. For example, if the body's energy is weak, and needs tonifying, it is an Empty condition, whereas if there is an invasion of an external pathogen, it is a Full condition, and the treatment needs to expel or disperse the excess.

How can Acupuncture help you?

The World Health Organization (WHO), the health branch of the United Nations, lists more than 40 conditions for which Acupuncture may be a useful treatment.

Conditions Appropriate for Acupuncture Therapy

Digestive
Abdominal Pain, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Hyperacidity, Indigestion

Emotional
Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Nervousness

Neurosis Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat
Cataracts, Gingivitis, Poor Vision, Tinnitus, Toothache

Gynaecological
Infertility, Menopausal Symptoms, Premenstrual Syndrome

Miscellaneous
Addiction Control, Athletic Performance, Blood Pressure Regulation, Chronic Fatigue, Immune System Support, Stress Reduction

Musculoskeletal
Arthritis, Back Pain, Muscle Cramping, Muscle Pain/Weakness, Neck Pain, Sciatica

Neurological
Headaches, Migraines, Neurogenic, Bladder Dysfunction, Parkinson's Disease, Postoperative Pain, Stroke

Respiratory
Asthma, Bronchitis, Common Cold, Sinusitis, Smoking Cessation, Tonsillitis