Needles are inserted into acupuncture
points
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Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine,
sterile, single use needles into the skin, at specific points
on the body, for the purpose of treating various disorders.
The human body is permeated and surrounded by fields of
energy. The meridians or "energy channels" of
oriental medicine are intimately related to these energy
fields. The insertion of needles stimulates the energy at
these points thus restoring and regulating the natural flow
of energy (qi) through the meridians. This promotes optimal
health within the body. Each point has a unique location,
specific needling instructions based on depth of needling
and angle of insertion, particular actions and indications
as well as special combinations to enhance its effect.
A consultation involves an inquiry into all signs and symptoms,
additional to the primary complaint, including preferences
or aversions to cold and heat, concerns around night sweats
or spontaneous sweating, problems with pain, appetite and
digestion, levels of thirst, dietary preferences, toilet
habits, sleep patterns and energy levels, menstrual issues
for women, and exercise regimes. In addition, observation
of the body in general and the tongue in particular as well
as palpation of the pulses and certain meridians of the
body are used to form a diagnosis of both the constitution
and the current condition so that an appropriate course
of treatment can be discussed and implemented. It is important
to note that everyone responds differently to treatment
and so it is often difficult to be specific about how many
treatments are required. A good rule of thumb is that the
more chronic a problem the longer the course of treatments,
the more serious the condition the more frequent the course
should be. Additionally, acupuncture is as much as system
of prevention as cure and so regular treatments, be they
monthly or seasonally, are sometimes recommended for maintenance
of well being.
Acupuncture is appropriate for all ages and stages of
growth and development. Needle insertion is painless and
manual needle stimulation may result in sensations of heaviness,
tingling, or release as the energy of the point is activated.
For children and babies a specially modified and gentle
Acupuncture technique is used together with Shonishin (a
Japanese paediatric technique involving gentle stimulation
of the skin along the meridians by rubbing, tapping and
gentle scraping).
Acupuncture is a primary form of treatment, however, its
effectiveness may be augmented by the use of appropriate
auxiliary techniques such as:
Plum Blossom needle therapy: this treatment involves
a specially designed instrument which has 5-7 needles fixed
at equal distances on a small circular head which in turn
is attached to a long flexible handle. The plum-blossom
needle is used to gently tap the skin of affected areas
to remove any stagnation and promote the flow of qi and
blood to the local area.
Scar bridging: this treatment helps clear the blockages
caused by scars from surgery, injury, or burns as well as
softening the appearance of the scar. Scars often cut across
one or more energy channels of the body and so block the
flow of energy through those channels. These treatments
involve needling around the scar and the use of indirect
moxibustion over the scar tissue.
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