Acupuncture

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Acupuncture - is an integral part of oriental medicine and is the most well known in the western world. Other aspects of oriental medicine are Chinese herbal medicine, qi gong (energy medicine) tai chi, and various massage techniques, such as tuina and shiatsu. Developed in China more than 2500 years ago, acupuncture has retained its time-tested effectiveness over the centuries. Currently 1/4 of the world’s population makes use of it. Whether alone or as a complement to other forms of treatment, acupuncture is a powerful tool both for healing and preventing disease. Recently the National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued a policy statement affirming the efficacy of acupuncture. 

Acupuncture Points - are specific places along a meridian were the qi or life force can be accessed and manipulated by various methods, most commonly needles. Some of the actions of a point may have nothing to do with the structure or organ for which it is named. For example Pericardium-5  (PC-5) treats chest pain which makes sense since pericardium is the heart protector, but it is also used for nausea and insanity. Another example is Large Intestine-4 (LI-4) which is used to treat a wide variety of conditions of the face such as headaches, the common cold,  facial paralysis and pain in general. None of these applications have a direct connection to the organ. However, this meridian ends at the face and thus qi activated at LI-4 will affect this area. As mentioned above all meridians are interconnected with each other and traverse the whole body. As such qi activated at a specific point can affect any area of the body.

Acupuncture Needles - During an acupuncture treatment very thin needles are inserted at specific points in the skin. During the insertion the patient may feel a slight discomfort, which usually disappears within a few minutes. 

Qi is the essence of all things -  The universe, including the human body, is but movement and mutation of Qi - The strength or intensity of the Qi (especially the Primal Qi) the up-flow, down-flow, outflow and inflow of Qi determine the health of the body. Oriental medicine is based on the concept of qi - often translated as vital energy. Qi permeates all of nature. There are many types of Chi in the human body.  The most significant one's for our health are:

- Primary Qi - the body's basic Qi or Yuan Qi

- Qi of the organs - such as the heart, lungs, liver etc. is also called Zangfu Qi

- Meridian Qi

- Nutrient Qi or Ying Qi

- Ancestral Qi or Zong Qi

The Acupuncture Meridians - In the human body qi flows predominantly in distinct pathways called meridians that transverse the body similar to nerves and blood vessels. The ancient Chinese physicians identified distinctive points along these meridians - called acupuncture points - where the qi can be accessed and manipulated. According to oriental medical theory pain and illness occurs when there is an imbalance or blockage of the flow of qi in one or several meridians. Acupuncture allows the qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from areas where it is in excess. In this way acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body. There is no disease if there is free flow; if there is disease there is no free flow. Acupuncture is a method that restores free flow and therefore health and healing.

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Acupuncture
Yin and Yang
The Five Elements
The Vital Substances of Life

Disclaimer: All material provided in this web site is provided for informational purposes only. Consult your own physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.

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