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Acupuncture is a system of natural healing which has been used successfully by a large section of the world's population for upwards of 3,000 years. Although its origins are ancient, it is subject to continuous review and is as beneficial today as it was to the early oriental cultures. It is a non-invasive system of medicine which can do no harm; indeed it frequently improves additional symptoms, outside the main complaint, and increases the general feeling of well being.
In the west, acupuncture has received a great deal of publicity for its ability to help with addictions (tobacco, alcohol, drugs) and for its power in the relief of pain. Many doctors have taken brief courses in symptomatic acupuncture in order to use these skills in “Pain relief Clinics”. Although this has increased public awareness, it suggests that these are the only areas in which acupuncture is of benefit. Yet Traditional Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of illnesses, including those for which one would see a GP and those for which western medicine has few answers, such as ME, eczema, stress, insomnia, depression.
Acupuncture assists the body in its natural
healing process and enables it to heal itself in body, mind and spirit, as far
as Nature will allow. The process
of healing takes place within our bodies all the time, and for the most part we
are unaware; cuts heal, germs are rejected, temperatures rise and fall, infections
come and go, as our bodies work endlessly to keep us well.
There are times however, when this natural process falters and we feel unwell.
Chinese medicine is based on the belief that the symptoms which result
are not the disease itself and that there is an underlying energy imbalance. This sends out distress signals which we label with names such as asthma,
heartburn, high blood pressure, or anxiety state.
By accurately diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of disease, acupuncture heals the body from within and makes it possible for the symptoms of which we complain to gradually fade away. For this reason acupuncture is a gentle recovery process which takes place from the inside to the outside and while some patients find their symptoms relieved almost from the first treatment, many others are aware that they feel generally better before the specific problem improves. Hence the frequent comment; “I`m feeling better in myself” which refers to such things as increased energy and vitality, improved sleep, balanced appetite, greater confidence and enjoyment of life.
Traditionally acupuncture has been used to treat the entire spectrum of illness; physical and psychological, acute and chronic. Many people come for help with specific symptoms or conditions such as anxiety states, arthritis asthma, back pain, circulatory problems, depression, high blood pressure, indeterminate aches and pains, infertility, menstrual problems, migraine, rheumatism, skin conditions or ulcers. Extensive practice and Chinese research has shown acupuncture's effectiveness in helping these and many other conditions.
Many others come because they are feeling generally unwell; perhaps the pressures of modern living are building up, or they are suffering from the effects of mental or emotional conflict. Others are seeking a preventative form of treatment which can “nip imbalance in the bud” before the symptoms arise. Acupuncture treats the whole person, not just a specific symptom, and aims to bring balance to body mind and spirit as an integrated whole. It is this which allows it to be of benefit in all of the above. Although their study is grounded in Traditional Acupuncture all acupuncturists receive training in western medical sciences which allows them to recognise a situation where problems are best dealt with by, or in conjunction with, western medicine. You need have no fear that “something serious” will be missed if you decide to come for acupuncture treatment.
Like the other Chinese medicine disciplines, Chinese Herbal Medicine is based on the principle that good health depends on achieving optimum vitality & balance – a balance described in terms of the polarity of Yin & Yang. Chinese Herbal Medicine has a great deal to offer in supporting that vitality & balance.
Treatment with Chinese Herbal Medicine involves the use of combinations of herbs, which are designed to correct the particular disharmony of the individual. The Chinese materia medica contains several hundred commonly used ingredients, including roots, stems, flowers, leaves, and barks, together with some non-plant materials. The principle is that a balance of ingredients with certain properties is matched to the individual patient’s pattern, allowing the practitioner to adapt to the changing needs of the patient. Chinese Herbal Medicine may be administered in a variety of ways. Most commonly it is prescribed either as a tea, to be made up from raw herbs or from concentrated powders, or as a ready-made formula in tablet form. External preparations are also used, including creams, ointments and washes for skin conditions, and compresses for traumatised tissue.
Chinese herbal teas tend to be bitter, but most people get accustomed to them quickly.
The possible uses of Chinese Herbal Medicine are very wide, and people of any age or constitution can benefit from it. The following conditions are commonly treated:
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