Acupuncture treatment is an effective and drug free natural healing method using extremely thin, pre-sterilized, disposable needles on specific areas of the body. Because the needles are so fine, the procedure is virtually painless. The needles stimulate what the Chinese call Qi, the manipulation of this Qi benefits health and aids in the healing of disease.
Acupuncture has no side effects and treats the cause as well as the symptoms. The acupuncture experience is one of relaxation and healing. A variety of common conditions can be successfully treated with acupuncture, and other traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
Acupuncture – a time-honoured medicine
The origins of acupuncture in China can be traced back at least 2000 years, making it one of the oldest and most long-standing health care systems in the world. Today, acupuncture is an effective, natural and increasingly popular form of health care.
Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes and focuses as much on the prevention of illness as on the treatment.
What is qi & how does it affect the body?
When healthy, an abundant supply of qi or “life energy” flows through the body’s meridians (a network of invisible channels through the body). If the flow of qi in the meridians becomes blocked or there is an inadequate supply of qi, then the body fails to maintain harmony, balance and order, and disease or illness follows. This can result from stress, overwork, poor diet, disease pathogens, weather and environmental conditions, and other lifestyle factors and becomes evident to TCM practitioners through observable signs of bodily dysfunction. TCM practitioners look carefully for these signs of health and dysfunction, paying particular attention not only to the presenting signs and symptoms, but also to the medical history, general constitution, and the pulse and tongue.
How does acupuncture work?
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 individual. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order to re-establish the flow of qi.
As a natural form of healing, acupuncture has the following benefits:
- provides drug-free pain relief
- effectively assists a wide range of acute and chronic ailments
- establishing the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms
- provides an holistic approach to aiding healthy outcomes, linking body, mind and emotions
