According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependant upon the body’s motivating energy moving through a series of channels beneath the skin. This energy is known as qi. The flow of qi can be disturbed by any number of factors. These include emotional states as well as poor nutrition, hereditary factors, infections and trauma. When the qi is unbalanced, illness may result.
The acupuncturist inserts ultra fine stainless steel needles at chosen points along the channels of energy. The aim is to stimulate the body’s own healing response and restore it’s natural balance.
Throughout the ages individual masters of acupuncture have developed their own particular syles of treatment, adding new ideas to the body of knowledge that exists. Classical Five Element Acupuncture for example, pioneered by Jacques Lavier and J R Worsley, believes that many physical ailments which people suffer from are the result of emotional stress as much as any physical cause. The aim is to isolate the cause of the complaint and provide support for the weakness so that each individual can discover a greater sense of self and find the tools to make change and live life as fully as possible.
Acupuncture is widely considered to be beneficial for a range of illnesses and symptoms ranging from headaches, vomiting, neck ache and back and dental pain through to more general feelings of ill health or low energy. Increasingly women are using acupuncture to support them through pregnancy, labour and following childbirth. Acupuncture is very effective for most physical and emotional health problems such as back pain, arthritis, menopause, insomnia, infertility, digestive disorders, migraine, anxiety and depression. It is also effective in boosting the immune system, supporting those undergoing treatment for cancer and helping alleviate the side effects of radio- and chemo- therapy.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended acupuncture as a possible treatment for lower back pain and NHS Choices website reports studies showing it eases symptoms of migraine, dental pain, neck pain and nausea.