Examining Acupuncture - Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture, the practise of healing with needles, was developed thousands of years ago in China. The Chinese call acupuncture Zhue Jiao and it translates to mean, "needle heat". Qi, an internal force of the body, is regulated by the needle and is responsible for a person's health. Controlling Qi by the use of acupuncture helps to promote physical and mental health by relieving stress and any illness will be indicated by whatever hindrance or blockage exists to the flow of Qi energy within the body. Everything the cells need is delivered by the free flowing energy and any waste that has formulated is taken away. Because of this a substantial advance in the physical and emotional health is witnessed. Symptoms, indicating a physical or mental illness, will become apparent if Qi is blocked at any stage.

Determining where to place the needles will be dictated by the need to return the flow to normal. The number of treatments required will be determined by this analysis and will depend on any symptoms in evidence. Acupuncture is used in China as a means of maintaining a healthy body rather than waiting until an illness develops and clients of Chinese acupuncturists only pay as long as they maintain optimum health.

The common belief is that acupuncture is all about needles, but other techniques are also used including burning, herbs and electric stimulation. Traditional practitioners, unlike western doctors who use hollow tube needles, use solid needles. Western based, certified acupuncture practitioners use needles that are pre-sterilized and disposable. It is normal for no medicine to be used on the needles as the needle itself controls the Qi energy. For optimum results and depending on the patients needs the needles are either inserted at a specific angle or manipulated.

As well as seeking treatment when suffering from illness or disease acupuncture can be used as a preventative treatment by maintaining optimum health. The number of consultations required is dependant on you physical or emotional health, from a single visit to several over a period of months. Several needles maybe inserted during each visit, but at different points for subsequent visits. Different locations for the needle insertions maybe selected as the condition improves, affecting a change in Qi flow to hasten the recovery to good health. Needles can be inserted up to a depth of three inches or just below the surface of the skin depending on the course of treatment. Many patients experience no pain as the needles are inserted. When the needle is inserted some clients remark of an occasional pinching sensation. When the needles are in place they can well be ignored. Sensations of a warm and relaxed nature will be experienced at the insertion point when the Qi energy is being directed properly.

One of the most beneficial ways to improve or sustain good health is with acupuncture. Considering acupuncture as a health option is becoming more popular in the western world. Largely, conventional western medicine is starting to understand the benefits of this ancient practise.

John Philips is the author of Chinese Healing an informational website with various articles about Chinese Medicine. To read more articles from various sources on Chinese Medicine visit www.chinese-healing.info

Article Source: http://www.wellnessarticlelibrary.com

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated