Traditional Chinese M edical (TCM ) Acupuncture

What we now know as Traditional Chinese Medical acupuncture is part of one of the world's oldest systems of medicine, but what is acupuncture? Many think of acupuncture for pain but it works by identifying “ patterns” of symptoms, in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. These may seem random to the uninitiated, but to an acupuncturist all information is absolutely relevant.

The skill of an acupuncturist lies in their ability to make a diagnosis, from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony, in order to design a unique treatment plan for each individual. To do this they need information about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state.

Whereas in the West a doctor may, by the viewing the results of X-ray and endoscopic investigations, diagnose a group of patients presenting with stomach pain as all having an ulcer, a Chinese trained practitioner will take into account other factors such as the nature of the pain described, the emotional response to questioning, the appearance of the tongue, the complexion, the quality of the pulse and many other seemingly unrelated symptoms relating, for instance, to the bowel, sleep patterns, anxiety levels and lifestyle choices. From the Traditional Chinese Medical acupuncture perspective, such a group of patients will be diagnosed with a variety of “ patterns” and therefore treatment needs.

As an independent system of medicine it has proved very effective for thousands of years.