WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?Acupuncture has been practiced in China and other eastern countries for thousands of years. It is a system of medicine used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses, focusing on treating the person rather then the disease.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, all good health is dependent on the smooth flow of a vital energy known as ‘Qi’ which is distributed through energy pathways known as meridians throughout the body. When these meridians become blocked or unbalanced illness occurs. By inserting fine needles into specific points on these pathways of vital energy, acupuncturists can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help to restore natural balance. Acupuncture can also help you feel and look younger, decrease wrinkles, improve circulation and boost your immune system.
Acupuncture is now accepted all over the world as a valid system of healthcare.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is used to treat a wide variety of conditions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises over 180 conditions that have been scientifically verified to respond well to treatment. These include:
MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion is a technique used by acupuncturists which involves the burning of mugwort, a herb which gets very hot when heated. Moxa can be placed directly onto acupuncture needles, onto the skin or indirectly over the skin held in cigar shaped rolls. Moxa has many benefits including the relief of pain by moving stagnation, removing cold from the joints and regulating the inflammatory response.
Moxibustion can also be stimulating, adding energy to the body when one is very tired as well as lifting the spirits in depression or sadness and amongst many other uses is particularly successful in turning breech presentations in pregnancy.
CUPPING THERAPY
Cupping involves the use of bamboo or glass cups which are placed over the skin by creating a suction. This ancient technique dates back to 168 B.C. The suction is created by removing the oxygen from the glass or bamboo using a flame or a pump.
This has the effect of promoting blood circulation and clearing tightness from the muscles. Cupping is very useful for painful conditions such as arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, asthma, and internal conditions including neurological, digestive, circulatory, urogenital, respiratory and gynaecological conditions. Cupping is also very effective for colds and flu.
ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE
Electro-acupuncture (EA) is a therapeutic method using pulsed electric current to stimulate acupuncture points, this is normally conducted through acupuncture needles. EA enhances the action of a treatment when the intention is pain relief, increasing circulation or controlling inflammation. Good for neuralgia, palsy, paralysis and musculo-skeletal conditions.