Understanding Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture originates from China with more than 3000 years history. It is an ancient system of healing and well established natural therapy, through the painless application of fine needles into strategic points along the meridians. The aim of the treatment is to restore the balance of the universal energy Qi crossing the body. In fact, acupuncture is effective for a large variety of conditions and can benefit the body, mind and spirit due to its power to stimulate our self healing functions.
Traditional acupuncture is a holistic healthcare system that regards pain and illness, whether physical or mental, to be a sign that the body is out of balance. Because traditional acupuncture considers every bodily function to be connected and interdependent, it recognises the role emotions play in illness and disease. Traditional acupuncturists are trained to use subtle Chinese medicine diagnostic techniques, in which Syndromes(patterns of disharmony) are focused. The aim of treatment is to re-establish the free flow of Qi(vital energy), to restore body's natural balance and equilibrium.
How does Acupuncture work?
According to the traditional Chinese medicine theory, there are twelve regular and eight extra meridians (energy channels) run through the body, the Qi (vital energy) circulate through the meridians, it consists of equal and opposite qualities of Yin and Yang, when these become unbalanced illness may result.
A decent acupuncture treatment could encourage and promote free flow of the Qi, to remove possible stagnations along the meridians, to influence, redirect, increase, or regulate body's Qi, thus correcting many of the imbalances between Yin and Yang, to stimulate the body's self healing functions and restore its nature equilibrium between physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of the body.
Based on the modern science, acupuncture has been shown to stimulate and improve the immune system. It also has affects the circulation, blood pressure, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, secretion of the gastric acid, and production of red and white cells. Needling certain points will stimulate the release of a number of hormones (e.g. Endorphins the brain's own natural painkillers and anti-inflammatory agents) into the system
that help body to respond to injury and stress. Also, serotonin levels could be increased, having a direct effect on mood and sleep, causing an increased sense of wellbeing.