Acupuncture Explained - Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

Chinese medicine was developed thousands of years ago in the Far East and acupuncture was seen as a prominent branch of this ancient tradition. The Chinese call it Zhue Jiao and it translates as "needle heat". The needle regulates "Qi"; an inner force, which is responsible for the health of the body and with acupuncture controlling Qi energy the health of a person, can be improved by the release of stress. Pathways of Qi energy should flow freely in a healthy person and any symptoms of illness will indicate any barriers to this movement. The free flowing energy provides everything the cells need and removes all waste that has formed, the consequence being an improvement in the emotional and physical health. Symptoms of any illness will become manifest if Qi is blocked at any level.

Determining where to place the needles will be dictated by the need to return the flow to normal. The number of treatments required will be determined by this analysis and will depend on any symptoms in evidence. In order to maintain their Qi energy at optimum levels many in China make regular visits to their acupuncture clinic. Chinese acupuncturists only receive payment while their customers enjoy good health.

Other forms of acupuncture are available besides the use of needles, including electric stimulation, burning and herbs. Unlike Western doctors, who use hollow tube needles; traditional acupuncture is carried out using solid needles and licensed acupuncturists in the west use needles that are pre-sterilized. In most cases the needle acts exclusively on the Qi energy and no medication is used on the needles. For optimum results and depending on the patients needs the needles are either inserted at a specific angle or manipulated.

As a preventative measure regular visits to your acupuncture clinic is beneficial to maintaining good health. The number of visits will be dependant on the nature of your emotional or physical health. Several needles maybe inserted during each visit, but at different points for subsequent visits. The change in the Qi energy is affected by these different locations hastening the improvement to optimum health. The course of treatment required influences the depth of needle insertion varying between just below the skin surface or up to a depth of three inches. Needle insertion is usually pain free. Some clients comment on an occasional pinching sensation when the needles are first inserted. But the needles can be easily forgotten after insertion. If the Qi energy is being directed properly a warm, relaxed sensation will be felt at the insertion point. medical8.com

A number of physical or mental illnesses can be corrected by the use of acupuncture. To give a brief outline and to encourage you to consider acupuncture as an alternative method to improving your health is the principal aim of this article. The benefits of this ancient practise have been appreciated in Chinese medicine for many hundreds of years.