Understanding Acupuncture
- janeloukes830
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Acupuncture is the gentle insertion of hair-fine needles into specific points along the surface of the skin to stimulate changes. It works to harmonise the emotional and mental processes as well as addressing physical symptoms that you may be experiencing
Illness, stress, and traumas can all affect how vital energy moves through your body, and when disharmony is experienced, then symptoms of such as pain and disease may arise. Acupuncture is a gentle and effective way of restoring balance, by moving vital energy in a way that is helpful and balancing for the individual.
Points, known as acupuncture points, are situated around the surface of the body, each point being chosen by the practitioner for a very specific purpose. There are around 360 acupuncture points. These points can be thought of as tiny communication sites through which symptoms of disharmony, such as pain or any other kind of distress, can be treated, and a person brought to a place of balance and harmony.
Acupuncture points are to be found along the meridians, which are channels along which your vital energy, or qi, flows. The meridians create a network of channels, which act as a communication system, carrying vital energy, or life force through all areas of the physical, mental, and emotional body, even affecting the less visible aspects of a person, that we may call the spirit. When energy, or qi, is flowing in perfect balance through all meridians, then good health in every aspect of a person will be experienced.
The twelve major meridians flow around the surface of the skin creating a wonderful and intricate network of light. Each meridian has an affinity with one of the major organs or processes, and its task is to carry healthy and vibrant qi to this aspect of a person, keeping health on all levels to an optimum. If qi is flowing too slowly, then symptoms such as cold, fatigue, lack of energy, heaviness and aching may be experienced. If qi is flowing too rapidly then symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, heat, and painful inflammatory conditions may be experienced. During a treatment all the meridians will be assessed and will treated as needed.
Although based on an ancient model of health and wellbeing, Acupuncture has a place in our modern lives, being a relevant and effective treatment for the challenges of these times. My training in Traditional Acupuncture was in the Five Elements of Health and Wellbeing, teaching me how to work towards maintaining a balance in the mind, body, emotions, and spirit, aiming to return a person to their authentic self and natural good health. In Chinese Medicine, the spirit of a person refers to the direction and unfolding of their life.
Acupuncture is a gentle, safe, and effective way of treating a wide number of conditions, and can be also used to support the body and major organs during medical interventions such as chemotherapy, helping symptoms such as fatigue, pain, nausea and fluctuations in body temperature. Acupuncture stimulates the natural healing mechanisms of the body and can be used, for example to speed up recovery following an illness or operation and is a helpful treatment for many chronic and long-term conditions.
Many people report an increase in wellbeing and vitality following treatments, and Acupuncture can be a very important aid to stress reduction, which is so prevalent for many of us in our busy lives.
In Ancient China, the Acupuncture physicians who were in attendance, were paid to keep their patients healthy, and if any illness was found, then payment was withheld! Today we have a different approach to health, often only seeking treatment when a level of ill health or distress is experienced. However, Acupuncture can also be effectively used as a preventative treatment as it has a positive effect on the immune system and overall wellbeing.
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