What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine in the world, with its origins tracing back over 5,000 years to ancient China. Today, it continues to grow in both popularity and credibility across the Western world.
The Chinese were keen observers of nature and saw the importance of being in balance in human beings, just as they saw in nature. The yin-yang balance in our bodies is always changing, and it is natural for it to do so. When the body becomes too yin or too yang, we have illness. Acupuncture works to restore this balance.
There is an invisible life force that flows throughout the body called “chi.” The chi flows 12 meridians or energy pathways in the body. Acupuncture works by balancing the flow of chi energy throughout the 12 meridians by the insertion of hair-fine needles into specific points on the body that lie along these meridians. Where imbalances in are in the body is determined by reading the pulses on each wrist that correspond to the 12 meridians.
There are many different systems of acupuncture practiced in the world. Worsley Classical Five Element Acupuncture has a unique treatment approach in the way it diagnoses and treats illness that differs from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine.) Whether someone has had acupuncture before or never had acupuncture, most people find this style of acupuncture quite extraordinary in the results it produces.
When we are in harmony with our environment and balanced in mind, body and spirit, we are healthy. The reality is that in life today we are presented with numerous stressors in our daily routines, not to mention environmental toxins. Sadly, we often fail to effectively deal with these daily stressors until we feel sick enough that we can no longer ignore the symptoms and function effectively or enjoy a good quality of life. Everyone is unique and has specific needs and challenges that present themselves to be addressed. While most people see some improvement and relief after the first treatment, some patients do not see more noticeable improvement until two or three treatments.
On average, most people need to be seen once a week for four to five weeks before we would look at spreading out the frequency of treatment. For acupuncture to work, it takes some commitment to weekly treatment initially to get the best and lasting benefits.
The Law of Cure
A word about something called “The Law of Cure” in acupuncture. Since acupuncture treats the “cause” of illness, and not just symptoms, sometimes after treatment a person may feel better in some ways and worse in another. The Law of Cure says you heal from within to without and above to below. For example, if you have neck pain and after treatment your neck pain is better but you knees hurt, that is things moving down the body, above to below. If you are stressed or anxious and after treatment you feel calmer and sleep better that night but your body is achy the next day — temporarily — that is things moving from within to without. It is like peeling layers of an onion as you start to heal. You can learn more about the Law of Cure here.
Moxabustion is also used along with acupuncture treatments. Moxa is from a plant called mugwort. The plant is dried, ground and sifted into a soft cotton consistency. It is rolled into small cones and placed on acupuncture points and lit with incense so it warms the acupuncture point before inserting the needle. Moxa nourishes the chi, is very healing to the body, and increases the flow of chi to aid healing.
As Professor J.R. Worsley said, “We must strive to see people not only as they present themselves in illness, but more importantly as they would be in perfect health and balance, in full discovery of their true nature, unique in body, mind and spirit.”