Acupuncture

What is Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complex medical system that can be used to treat a range of issues. Even though it is complex the explanation of theories can be accessible for people of all walks of life. Modalities like Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Massage, Cupping, Moxibustion, Qi Gong, Chinese Dietary therapy and Gua Sha fall under the umbrella of TCM. Simply, the aim of these therapies is to enhance the “free flow” of Qi.

By moving qi our bodies we can improve our health, from seemingly minor complaints to serious illness. Treating these minor complaints could be seen as preventative therapy. More serious illnesses may be treated in conjunction with Western Medicine, other alternative therapies or TCM alone.

Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi through the patient. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order for the qi flow to return.

As a natural form of healing, acupuncture has the following benefits:

• provides drug-free pain relief
• effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments
• treats the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms
• provides an holistic approach to the treatment of disease and illness, linking body, mind and emotions
• assists in the prevention against disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being

Acupuncture is known to treat a wide range of disorders including:

Acupuncture is an ancient healing from that uses the 12 Qi Meridians to mend the body’s disharmonies and imbalances. It can effective in treating;

• Digestive disorders

• Hormonal imbalances

• Sleep disturbances

• Immune health

• Anxiety and Depression

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Gynecological and fertility issues

• Stubborn pain or injuries

  In some cases an acupuncturist will also use modern approaches to healing injuries. They do this by incorporating motor points, trigger points and Ah Shi (pain) points at the injury site or any regions that could be causing referred pain.

• Tennis elbow

• Knee pain

• Neck pain

• Sports injuries

• Bursitis

• Plantar fasciitis

• Fractures, trauma and scar tissue

  Chinese Herbal Medicine:

  The Huang di Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s inner classic) dates back to the 3^rd century BC. This is the earliest clear recording that mentions Herbal Medicine in China, and from this time it has continued to be an effective from of internal medicine. In recent times, many classical herbs have been studied and their efficacy has been measured. This has led to pharmaceutical companies synthetically producing the active constituents as these medicines can strongly treat illness.

  In Chinese Medicine, the whole herb is preferred, as they are believed to be gentle, less toxic and have a better healing quality to the patient. In fact, a Chinese Medicine Practitioner will very rarely choose one herb alone, they would be more likely to use a traditional formula that supports the whole person. Treating the disease while maintaining the body’s homeostasis.

  Chinese Herbal Medicine can be effective in treating:

  -Cold and Flu

  -Lethargy/Tiredness

  -Digestive disorders

  -Sleep Disorders

  -Menopause

  -Menstrual irregularities or pain

  -Skin Conditions

  -Negate the Harmful effects of other medical treatments, (e.g Chemotherapy)

  Every patient receives a personalized formula to suit their specific complaint. For example, two people may have the influenza A virus, one of these patient’s key complaint might be body aches, while the other might be sore throat and cough.

  From a Chinese Medicine perspective, these two could be seen as having totally different pathologies, so for effective treatment, they will have to have different formulae. Herbs can be taken in pill form, a granule tea or can be boiled in the raw form.

  Chinese Medical Massage:

  In some cases, the client’s qi is not moving effectively from physical blockages, e.g muscle tightness. It is important in these cases to move qi by breaking up stagnation in Muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Chinese Massage uses many different techniques to achieve this. Pushing, needing, pulling, plucking, stretching and acupressure are all techniques used in a massage treatment.

  Chinese Medical Massage can be used to treat:

  -Muscle or joint pain

  -Arthritis

  -Sciatica

  -Muscle Spasm or Cramp

  -Stress Relief

  -Bloating and Constipation

  -Headaches

  Fun Fact: Acupuncture can be traced back 2000 years and is believed to be much older than that. Recent studies of the 5300 year old “ice man” corpse of Otzi have found tattoos on Acupuncture points all over his body. These points are used to treat lower back pain and indigestion. So, maybe that’s why he still had undigested food in his GIT for over 5000 years.

Please note this information has been sourced from the Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association Ltd, you can find more details by visiting AACMA.