Discover Acupuncture : A Natural Alternative

Acupuncture - a natural alternative

Acupuncture is a 100% natural form of treatment. Health is restored through the balancing and realignment of energy within the body. Where a health problem is being created by deficiency in the body, the practitioner redirects energy in a way that stimulates and strengthens. When a problem is being caused by excess in the body, the practitioner looks to sedate and calm the affected organ or area. Nothing artificial is ever put into the body, rather the body is ‘tuned’, allowing it to naturally function in its most efficient manner. In many cases, this is a real alternative to conventional drug based therapies.

Where will the needles be put?

Underlying Chinese medical philosophy is the concept of channels of energy, or ‘meridians’ which run through the body. Of the 14 main channels, 12 directly relate to the internal organs. Along these channels are specific points through which the energy of the channel, and consequently the related organ, can be affected. There are over 360 acupuncture points on the body, each with a unique function and character. By the insertion and manipulation of a fine needle into one of these points, that function can be stimulated, and the energy of the organ can be affected in such a way as to restore health.

In the case of very physical problems, such as a sports injury for example, needles may be inserted in the local area of the pain to relieve stagnation caused by trauma or over-activity. However, needles can also be used away from the channels in order to bring blood and energy to a muscle or area, thus promoting the body’s ability to heal. In line with the holistic philosophy of acupuncture, such physical work will almost always be supported by more general work on the individual’s constitution and underlying imbalances. This dual approach is the key to effective and long-lasting relief from symptoms.

Two different types of acupuncture

How does acupuncture work? A Western scientific explanation:
People are often interested to know how acupuncture works in Western scientific terms. The current belief is that acupuncture works by having a direct effect on the nervous system. The acupuncture needles stimulate tiny nerves beneath the surface of the skin, which send messages to the brain, causing the release of certain chemicals and hormones. This can be, for example, the release of pain killing endorphins in the treatment of physical problems, or the activation of immune system cells in particular areas of the body to combat disease processes. These chemical changes can also be seen to have a regulatory effect on the way organs in the body are functioning. Furthermore, it is thought that acupuncture can alter the release of neurohormones and neurotransmitters, thus enabling treatment to bring about changes in involuntary body functions (for example, blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate) by influencing the central nervous system.

The two main schools of acupuncture that are practiced in the West are Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Five Element Acupuncture. I have trained in both of these styles, and use an integrated approach in my practice.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

A very direct and effective style of acupuncture, TCM is based upon the concept that ill health can be understood in terms of energetic imbalances within the organs, or blockages of energy within the channels. The TCM practitioner diagnoses these imbalances from the patient’s description of symptoms, from pulse and tongue diagnosis, and through observation. They will then formulate a treatment plan aimed towards restoring balance, and will choose acupuncture points whose functions match the desired effect. TCM acupuncture is especially useful for physical problems.

Five Element Acupuncture

Five Element Acupuncture shares the same underlying concepts as TCM, that ill health can be understood in terms of energetic imbalances within the organs, but adds an extra dimension by understanding the organs in the context of the Five Elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood).

The concept of the Five Elements has been part of Chinese philosophy for thousands of years. The great strength of Five Element Acupuncture is its ability to treat the mental, emotional and spiritual levels of a person. In perfect health, all of the five elements are balanced within a person. An understanding of the way in which imbalances in one of the elements can lead to disharmony in another allows the practitioner to trace the root cause of problems extremely effectively. Furthermore, as each of the elements relates to a different emotion, the Five Element model provides a means of understanding the emotional responses and emotional state of a person, and provides the necessary tools to facilitate change on this level.