What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is part of Oriental Medicine. It is based on the concept of maintaining balance and harmony to keep ourselves in a state of good health. It focuses on the entire system, body, mind and spirit to restore balance. According to OM our energy runs through channels in the body which run from the surface to deep inside, and connect with each other. Illness is the result of a blockage or problem with the flow of energy. Acupuncture points access these channels to affect the energy flow and organs of the body.
What is Qi?
Qi is the concept which underpins all of Oriental Medicine. It can be translated as “vital energy”. Qi runs through the channels of the body in different forms and is accessed via acupuncture points. When being treated Qi will be experienced as a pulling, warming, tingling sensation when the needles are manipulated after insertion. It is a pleasant but unusual sensation.
History
Acupuncture has evolved over 3000 years and the Asian approach to understanding the body is unique. By analyzing nature and natural processes the ancient Asian were able to deduce key patterns and principles which occurred in all things and could be used to understand and influence the factors causing disease. In this way acupuncture has evolved as a natural process of healing which works with the body’s own ability to heal itself, speeding that process up to restore balance. It focuses on improving the overall well being of the patient, rather than the isolated treatment of a specific symptom. The principle aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual
Does it work?
Acupuncture is recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective form of treatment. It is often found in your local hospitals and GP’s are increasingly recognizing the validity of acupuncture treatment as one of the most valuable complimentary therapies. What percentage of GP’s agreed they would like to see acupuncture available on the NHS(British Medical Association Report)?
80%