Examining Acupuncture - Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
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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. This analysis might indicate the need for just one or a series of treatments. In order to stay healthy and maintain their Qi levels at an optimum level many Chinese have regular acupuncture treatments and Chinese acupuncture practitioners only get paid as long as their clients maintain good health. The common belief is that acupuncture is all about needles, but other techniques are also used including burning, herbs and electric stimulation. The instruments used are different with traditional practitioners utilising solid needles as opposed to the hollow tube needles employed by western doctors. Certified practitioners of acupuncture in the Western world use pre-sterilized, disposable needles. It is normal for no medicine to be used on the needles as the needle itself controls the Qi energy. The patients needs signal whether the needles are manipulated or introduced at a particular angle. As a preventative measure regular visits to your acupuncture clinic is beneficial to maintaining good health. The number of visits will be dependant on the nature of your emotional or physical health. Several needles maybe inserted during each visit, but at different points for subsequent visits. The change in the Qi energy is affected by these different locations hastening the improvement to optimum health. The course of treatment required influences the depth of needle insertion varying between just below the skin surface or up to a depth of three inches. Needle insertion is usually pain free. Some clients comment on an occasional pinching sensation when the needles are first inserted. But the needles can be easily forgotten after insertion. If the Qi energy is being directed properly a warm, relaxed sensation will be felt at the insertion point. Maintaining good health is of the essence and acupuncture is a safe, relatively risk free way to achieve this. To give a brief outline and to encourage you to consider acupuncture as an alternative method to improving your health is the principal aim of this article. Increasingly, established western medicine is beginning 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
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