Over centuries, the Chinese have observed nature in order to better understand natural laws, then apply these laws to better our understanding of the human condition. Classical Acupuncture uses these laws as the framework to unlock the keys to promoting balance and harmony in these treated.
THE HISTORY
It has been practiced in China for over 2000 years. While recent media interest focuses on Acupuncture for treating smoking and weight loss as well as Acupuncture Anesthesia, Classical Acupuncture is mainly used for general therapeutic purposes to restore and maintain health, as well as prevent illness.
In Chinese medicine it is held that any illness or symptom is associated with an imbalance in a person’s vital energy. This energy is known as Ch’i or QI (pronounced Chee). Good health is maintained through a sound balance of QI, so when the Body/Mind produces symptoms such as Asthma, Migraines or depression, it is a sign that there is an imbalance of QI, which must be rebalanced to restore health.
This principal of Classical Acupuncture means that the whole person’s health is affected and changed to ensure that they stay healthy once their energy, or QI, has been balanced.
WHO BENEFITS?
A wide variety of people from just as many walks of life consult Acupuncturists for a myriad reasons.
Some feel they are unable to be helped by western medicine while some are referred by doctors and therapists. As well as seeking help for physical problems, many people come because of stress-related disorders and the effects of mental and emotional conflict in their lives. Classical Acupuncture affects the whole person, body, mind and spirit and will help a whole range of different symptoms and difficulties whether they are physical or emotional.
Acupuncture is a whole body medicine. Our approach is to alleviate the symptoms for which people seek treatment and to address the underlying causes of the disease or imbalance in the body so the symptoms will not return and the person is restored to balance. Our job is to view the patient as they would be in health while still holding and seeing them as they are in their imbalance.
TREATMENT
The Classical Acupuncturist considers symptoms in context of life’s movements and changes and how the events affect the energetic flow of QI in the individual.
Diagnosis
The initial diagnosis takes into account the person’s present condition, medical history and life pattern. This information is essential to determine the cause of the problem and the treatment that is required. There is also a physical examination that includes the reading of the pulses.
Pulses
QI travels through the body along twelve pathways known as meridians. Each meridian corresponds to one of the vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, stomach etc. and has a pulse associated with it, which informs the acupuncturist of the condition of the energy within that meridian. The twelve pulses are located on the radial arteries on each wrist.
Needles
By inserting very fine acupuncture needles (about the diameter of 3 human hairs) into the acupuncture points which lie along the meridians, a proper balance and flow of QI can be re-established. QI can be summoned to the places that need it and dispersed from the areas where is it congested and causing blockage.
