ACCUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is internationally recognized and respected as a powerful healing technique. It is part of a complete system of medicine which has been practiced in China for over 2,000 years; today there are over three million practitioners worldwide.

The practice of acupuncture is thought to have begun with the discovery that the stimulation of specific areas on the skin affects the functioning of certain organs of the body. Acupuncture restores and maintains health through the insertion of very fine needles into the skin at certain points along the meridians (energy channels). This technique corrects the energy imbalances within the body, which can lead to disease or discomfort. During acupuncture treatment, the needles are either inserted for a second or two or left in place for up to 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the effect required. During this time there may be a heavy sensation in the limbs and a pleasant feeling of relaxation.

The goal of acupuncture is to treat the patient as a whole and to restore the balance between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual. In traditional acupuncture, since all illness is considered the result of an imbalance of energy, treatment can benefit almost any ill person as long as the degenerative process in the tissues of the body is not too extensive. Examples of symptoms or conditions that acupuncture can help heal are: pain, anxiety, arthritis, eczema, sports injuries, allergies, asthma, migraine, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, intestinal problems or pregnancy management and delivery.

During the first consultation, the practitioner aims to determine the nature of the disharmony in the patient's mind and body by careful questioning and observation. A detailed understanding is required of the patient's symptoms, past medical and family history, lifestyle and diet, behavior of all the systems in the body such as digestion and circulation, sleep patterns, and emotional feelings. Diagnosis may also include examination of the tongue for its structure, color and coating and of the pulses at the wrists, which are felt for their quality, rhythm and strength. Having decided on the cause or causes of the problem, the points and appropriate method of treatment are selected according to various rules governing the movement of Qi in the body.

Treatment with acupuncture can produce rapid results but more often it requires a number of treatments over a period of time. Generally, treatments are once or twice a week. Sometimes the effect is quite dramatic and the patient will only need one or two treatments. Sometimes the effect is subtle and may require treatment for several months.