About AcupuNcture
General info about acupuncture
Classical acupuncture is a complete system of medicine that originated in China thousands of years ago. It spread well beyond Chinese borders over the following centuries and there are today distinct styles of practice that include Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean influences and beyond.
How acupuncture works
Acupuncture is predominantly energy medicine and it is based on the principle that symptoms occur as a person’s vital ‘Qi’ energy moves out of balance. Qi energy is seen as the harmonising regulatory mechanism of the bodymindspirit that circulates throughout the body along distinct channels commonly translated as ‘meridians’ in the West. Although the meridians are not observable on dissection like blood vessels or nerves they do follow predictable pathways over the landscape of our bodies. It may be helpful to picture it like this. If blood and lymphatic systems are like the water and sewage pipe networks in a town, if the nervous system is like the electrical cabling in your house, then the meridian pathways are like the streams and rivers flowing over the land. They may not have the same physical structure as pipes and cables but nevertheless flow along obvious channels. These channels in the body often occur as seams between muscles, edges of bone anatomy and the like. Taking this analogy further, where this flow is likely to eddy just like a stream flowing down a hillside swirling around rocks, then this is often where the acupuncture points in the body are to be found.
Acupuncture points
Acupuncture points are areas where a practitioner can influence the flow of Qi in a person. The original ‘needles’ were knuckle shaped stones called ‘Bian’ and over centuries Chinese Daoist monks developed the techniques of harmonising their flow of Qi using Bian as acupressure tools. Later their instruments became more refined, firstly inserting slivers of bamboo, then later metal needles and so acupuncture was born. The use of a smoldering herb to warm the point before needling, called ‘Moxa’ (mugwort) became an important adjunct to acupuncture treatment around this time.
Mind, body and spirit
In a nutshell the theory of acupuncture treatment is this. If the volume and quality of Qi flowing throughout a persons system is in balance then that person is in optimal health, mind body and spirit. However if this flow becomes depleted, blocked or otherwise compromised then a level of imbalance is introduced into the system. This imbalance can then go on to produce symptoms of illness in the person’s mind body or spirit. Often given a little time the system can regulate itself back into balance and this is how we get ourselves back into heath unaided. However if the source of the imbalance remains unchecked this regulation back to health is impeded and symptoms accrue and become entrenched. Then you need some help. Acupuncture works via the skill of the master practitioner identifying where this movement back to health is glitching. By stimulating the appropriate acupuncture points in a precise way the system is invited back into better balance. As this effect builds up over a course of treatment the person should notice their symptoms progressively improve towards it’s potential in health. Physically, mentally and (whatever this word might mean to you), spiritually.
To find out more or book an appointment
give David a call on 01273 307001
To find out more or book an appointment give David a call on 01273 307001