Acupuncture
For details of clinics, please see the homepage.
What is Acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture dates back some 5,000 years, making it
one of the world's oldest systems of medicine.
The aim of Acupuncture is to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit,
promoting relaxation and stimulating a person's own healing power by
harmonising their vital energy called Ch'i or Ki. This vital energy
travels through the body along pathways called meridians. Each meridian
corresponds to one of twelve organs or functions such as the heart,
spleen and lungs.
Although named after the organs, the functions of the meridians are much
wider and encompass the whole being at the mental, emotional and physical
level. Wherever there is a block in energy flow, trauma ensues which
eventually manifests as disease i.e. not being at ease. This imbalance in
a person's vital energy may manifest itself as a backache, headache,
depression or in many other ways. By working along the meridians using the
fingers and hands in Shiatsu or by inserting very fine sterilized Acupuncture
needles in specific points, the practitioner summons energy to places most
in need and disperses energy from areas where it is congested, thus restoring
balance to the whole body.
What can Acupuncture help?
Many people come to Acupuncture for help with a specific symptom or condition,
for example: anxiety states, arthritis, asthma, back pain, circulatory problems,
depression, facial paralysis, fibrositis, high blood pressure, indeterminate aches
and pains, infertility, menstrual problems, migraines, rheumatism, sciatica,
skin conditions or ulcers. Extensive practice and Chinese research has show
Acupuncture's effectiveness in helping these and many other conditions.
The effect of good Acupuncture, however, is to do more than simply cure the
symptom. Acupuncture directed at restoring the overall energy balance will
deal with the condition, as well, help the patient feel better in a general way.
Hence the frequent comment: 'I'm feeling better in myself', which refers to such
things as increased energy and vitality, greater enjoyment of life, greater
confidence, better sleep or a more normal appetite.
Moxibustion, a treatment where Chinese Mugwort, a healing herb, heated over
specific points is also used where necessary, to warm and invigorate the energy.
Acupuncture is acknowledged to be one of the most powerful of all systems of Natural Medicine.
Diagnosis
The initial consultation takes about two hours and is very important. It
takes into account medical history, sleep patterns, diet etc., and the
client's present condition. This information is essential in determining
the cause of the problem and the treatment that is required.
The initial visit will also include a physical examination. Abdominal,
pulse and tongue diagnoses are made.
Over 5,000 years Oriental Medicine has developed eight different ways
of diagnosis, which are cross- checked. This makes it the worlds most
sophisticated system of medicine. Most other systems only encompass
one or two ways of diagnosis eg touch or questioning etc.
Subsequent sessions take an hour. After an initial discussion of the clients
condition the treatment begins.
Response to treatment
Every individual is unique, so the response to the treatment varies from
person to person. The age of the patient, depth of the disease, and how
long it has been going on have to be taken into account in assessing how
quickly the client will improve. Often clients ask how many sessions they
will require. It is impossible to generalise, as even two people with
similar complaints may need to come for different periods of time.
In acute conditions the client is advised to attend weekly. When there
condition stabilises they can come fortnightly, monthly and so on. The
whole process is individual and the practitioner and client can together
decide on the best course of action.
Clients generally come to realise that they possess the full power to
be healthy and happy. It becomes a matter of choice and of personal
commitment, since without their co-operation no recovery in the real
sense of the word can happen. The relationship between client and practitioner
becomes one of guidance and support; the client learns how to be independent
and self-reliant and how to maintain a state of well-being throughout one's life.
Guidelines
In order to gain maximum benefit from treatment the following guidelines are suggested:
- It is best to avoid heavy meals or alcohol on the day of treatment. Have a light meal at least one hour before the session.
- Do not take a long hot bath on the day of treatment.
- For the treatment wear loose clothing, preferably cotton.
For more information Contact Altair
