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Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a holistic healing technique that stimulates the body’s natural healing abilities. It originated in China more than 2,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest and most commonly used holistic treatments in the world.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, solid, metallic needles into the surface of the skin. These very fine needles are manipulated by the hands or may be stimulated electrically. They may be twirled or rotated, vibrated by scraping or trembling, or raised and pushed back down. The technique used depends on the diagnosis.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, a person’s health is affected by the flow of the vital energy force, or chi, running throughout the body. If the flow of chi is diminished, unbalanced, or blocked, illness can occur.
Acupuncture works by unblocking obstructions in the energy channels, or meridians, which run throughout the body.
The insertion of the acupuncture needles into certain points in the meridians will release these blockages, allowing the chi to flow freely and restore health to the body.
The concept of chi flowing along meridians in the body is similar to the concept of the flow of blood in the circulatory system in Western cultures. Think of chi as flowing along the meridians like water flowing along a river system, branching out to its tributaries and streams (meridians), providing life-giving water (chi) to the surrounding land (body).
Now imagine a beaver building a dam (blockage) across a section of the river (meridian), causing the water (chi) to pool behind the dam. This deprives the land (body) downstream of the nutrients (chi) from the water and the land suffers (illness). Imagine the vegetation along the banks dying and the fish gasping for oxygen.
The same is true of chi flowing along the meridians. If the chi becomes blocked, the parts of the body that were being nourished “downstream” from the block suffer. Illness or disease may result if the flow isn’t restored.
That’s how Acupuncture works. The insertion of the acupuncture needle into a specific acu-point along the blocked meridian releases the blockage and allows the chi to flow freely throughout the body. When the chi is brought back into balance, the body is allowed to heal itself.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are over 300 acupuncture points, or acu-points. These acu-points are positioned along the meridians which run throughout the body.
There are twelve organ meridians running along the front and back of the body. They are identical on each side of the body; in other words, they run in pairs.
Each acu-point along the meridian has its own healing action in connection with the organ system the meridian is associated with: liver chi, kidney chi, stomach chi, etc. Some points tend to move chi towards the interior of the body (to replenish a lack of chi) while others bring the life energy to the surface of the body (where any excess can dissipate).
In order to target the blockages along the meridians, the acupuncturist will use one of the primary and fundamental diagnostic methods in Traditional Chinese Medicine: pulse taking.
The acupuncturist uses the customary stethoscope, but the examination goes far beyond the routine Western medical examination. The acupuncturist will check twelve pulse points, one for each of the twelve meridians. Fourteen different pulse traits (slow, rapid, full, empty, etc.) are compared to the twelve pulses to determine where the blockage is.
This discrepancy might indicate a blockage in the flow of chi. Once the blockage is detected, the correct acu-point is located, stimulated, and the flow of chi is released.
The acupuncturist will look at your skin, eyes, tongue, nails, hair, and even your emotional behavior to help in his/her diagnosis.
The sound of your voice and your breathing will also be scrutinized as well as any body odor or bad breath.
The acupuncturist will also ask you questions that may seem totally unrelated to the reason for your visit. Because Acupuncture is a holistic healing technique, all aspects of your life are important to your diagnosis.
You may be asked about your diet, your sleep patterns, your stress level, your physical living environment, and so on. Holistic healing means to bring balance back into all aspects of your life: physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional.
Some other techniques are commonly used along with Acupuncture. One is called Moxibustion. This technique involves applying heat, often by burning a bundle of herbs, to the acu-point while stimulating it with the acupuncture needle.
Cupping is another technique. This method stimulates acu-points by applying suction with a metal, wood or glass jar in which a partial vacuum has been created. This brings extra blood into the area, providing extra oxygen to the tissues and carrying away any waste products that have accumulated.
A popular alternative to Acupuncture is Acupressure. Acupressure is a stimulation of the acu-points with the fingers or an instrument with a hard ball-shaped head. The pressure takes the place of the needle.
Acupuncture is being practiced in many hospitals and clinics for the treatment of pain conditions. Some of them are:
- Chronic low back pain
- Post-operative pain
- Labor pain
Acupuncture is also effective in preventing pre-operative anxiety and post-operative nausea and vomiting. This technique is also effective in the relief of the nausea accompanying chemotherapy treatment.
Traditional medical doctors are adding Acupuncture to drug therapy to control pain in their patients and finding the use of Acupuncture lowers the amount of pain killers needed. This reduces the risk of side effects associated with these drugs.
Western medicine is still playing catch up with many of the Eastern therapies of Holistic Medicine. But Western hospitals and clinics are beginning to offer holistic healing therapies to their patients. These therapies include Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, and Meditation. Other therapies like Herbal Medicine, Aromatherapy, and Reflexology are sure to follow.
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Your body is not the only sentient object that is sensitive to energy. Did you realize that when water "listens" to Mozart, it transforms into exquisitely shaped crystals? This fascinating and educational photo-essay from Japan shows you the mysterious effects that music, words and human thought energy have on water.
Messages from Water DVD
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Acupressure addresses the same points as Acupuncture, using the pressure of fingers and hands instead of needles. It helps release tension and restores a feeling of inner equilibrium. Use the full-color Acupressure Chart for quick reference in locating points to relieve backache, colds, headaches, insomnia, PMS, sciatica and more. Color-coded chart shows organ meridians and chi control. Includes treatment booklet with acupressure "recipes" to use for relief from common ailments.
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A leading doctor and international authority on Acupressure teaches you how to use Chopsticks instead of needles to end chronic pain and suffering. Click Here!