Acupuncture Therapy Explained

Acupuncture therapy is an holistic form of health care, which is over 2000 years old. It is rooted in the ancient philosophy known as Daoism, which concentrates on the need for change, growth, balance and harmony. In recent years there has been increased scientific research into the benefits of acupuncture based therapies, and this forms a fundamental part of the current trend towards complementary therapy in Western Society.

Acupuncture is based upon the belief that health is dependent upon the smooth flow of Qi (chi) energy, our life-force, through a system of channels called meridians which run just beneath the skin. Qi is composed of both Yin and Yang, a concept of opposing qualities which can cause illness when they become imbalanced.

There are many factors that can upset the natural balance of Qi, including emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief and particularily particularly when they are suppressed, as they so often are in modern society.

Many other factors including nutrition, your physical environment, your hereditary constitution, infections or other physical trauma including surgery, can all contribute towards the imbalance of your natural equilibrium. Acupuncture therapy aims, by the use of fine needles inserted into carefully selected points along these meridians, to re-establish your body's energetic harmony.

When you begin an acupuncture treatment, the flow of energy throughout your body will be assessed by many methods including taking your pulse on both wrists. From these initial assessments a personalised treatment can then be designed, carefully selecting from over 500 acupuncture points, specifically for your needs.

The needles used in acupuncture therapy are not at all like the needles often experienced in Western medicine. People mostly enjoy treatment and often describe experiencing a feeling of heaviness and relaxation throughout their bodies, both during therapy and for some time afterwards.

Other techniques may be employed during acupuncture therapy to enhance treatment, such as the smouldering of herbs over acupuncture points to warm and encourage the body's energy, or the use of cupping, an ancient technique using suction to stimulate and move the body's energy particularly effective with muscular conditions.