Health Holidays - Acupuncture

ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture's beginnings lie in China, the date of its genesis is not precisely known , the first material evidences being fton aprox. 3000 B.C..
The first medical account of acupuncture was NEI CHING SU WEN's "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" which dates from about 200 BC.

Simply defined, acupuncture is a treatment method aimed at improving the heath condition through insertion of very fine needles at the body surface at sites called acupuncture points.
A wide variety of treatment methods, approaches, techniques, styles, and theoretical frameworks exist within the very broad scope of the term acupuncture.

The basic concepts of acupuncture

1.Qi The concept of Qi is a central concept in Tao teaching that lays the foundation of Chinese Medical thought and acupuncture.
Qi is commonly interpreted as the vital energy that gives life to all living matter. There is nothing comparable in allopathic (conventional Western) medicine.

The Chinese Qi character is wich is made up of two characters:
which symbolizes steam(vapour)
which stands for rice(uncooked) The resulted image is therefore "a steam raising over the bowl of rise" so frequently used by Tai Chi instructors and Chi Gong masters, which they ask their students to visualize.
The conclusion of the definition is that Qi can be both ethereal like vapor and dense or solid like uncooked rice.This fact shows breath-taking similarities with cuantic theory of light and with the Schrodinger's Waveform definition appplied in quantum physics which states the dual nature of light ( energy and matter).

The functions of Qi
The main functions of Qi are generally defined as:
- Impulsing: the growth and development of the body,
- Warming: the maintaining of appropriate body heat,
- Defending: against stresses and pathogens,
- Controlling: the Blood and Body fluids,
- Transforming: metabolizing Qi, Blood and Body fluids.

YIN / YANG

Yin and Yang are counter poles; they are each other's opposite in which life is searching for harmony and balance.
Health in this philosophy means balance between Yin and Yang. The terms yin and yang do not represent forces or substances; rather, they are a way to look at the world in terms of the interaction of polar opposites. All movement, growth, and change in the world is a manifestation of the push and pull of these forces. Although seemingly in opposition, these forces are thought to complement and support each other

THE FIVE PHASES OF TRANSFORMATION ( FIVE ELEMENTS).

Life(creation) cycle The Wood is burned by Fire to create the Earth which builds up into mountains that contain the Metals and collect the Water which feeds the Wood

Death(control) cycle The Earth can dam up the Waters which can dowse the Fire which can melt the Metal which can be formed into axes to chop the Wood which sends its roots to hold the Earth .According to the Five Elements philosophy, everything, including energy, passes through cycles. In nature, this can be seen in the four seasons and in the body it is evidenced by the interactions between the main organs.

The theories of Yin and Yang and Five Elements that exist in dynamic balance and are organized in the systems of cyclic autonomic regulation.

MERIDIANS

Meridians are to conduct Qi, the energy or vital force of the body. Pain or illness is said to result from imbalances or blockages in the flow of Qi through the meridians. Acupuncture is traditionally thought to remove such blockages, restore the normal circulation of Qi, and improve overall health by promoting the balance of energy in the system.. The meridians form a complex network of main channels, minor capillaries and collaterals. There are 14 main interconnected pathways called "meridians" through which this energy circulates, and surface to about 400 acupuncture points. Each meridian is intimately connected with one of the viscera of the body, and each manifests its own characteristics and bears the name of the organ related to it.

POINTS

The 14 main meridians (channels), through which Qi circulates, emerge to the skin surface at the precise locations called acupuncture points. Local stimulation of different acupuncture points (needling, laser, electricity, etc) can influence the activity of corresponding meridian in specific and predictable manner.
361 Points on the meridians described in the classical ancient Chinese medical manuscripts. They are complimented by 171 Extra-Meridian Points with their specific features. Over the last fifty years, 110 "New" Points and 142 Auricular Points discovered.
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Diseases and Conditions treated at our Clinic WHO List of Diseases That Lend Themselves to Acupuncture Treatment

Upper respiratory tract
acute & chronic pharyngitis
acute sinusitis
acute rhinitis
common cold
acute tonsilitis
Lower respiratory tract
acute bronchitis
bronchial spasms
Gastrointestinal system
spasms of esophagus and gastric
cardia
acute & chronic gastritis
hiccup
acute bacillary dysentery
constipation
chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
Disorders of the mouth
toothache
post-extraction pain
gingivitis
Neurological/Musculoskeletal
headache
migraine
trigeminal neuralgia
facial palsy (early stage)
paresis following stroke
lower back pain
neurogenic bladder
nocturnal enuresis
intercostal neuralgia
osteoarthritis
"frozen shoulder"
sciatica
Menieure's disease
early sequelae of poliomyelitis
cervicobrachial syndrome
Disorders of the eye
acute conjunctivitis
central retinitis
myopia (in children)
cataract (uncomplicated)
Unrecognized uses
infertility
menstrual crpams
menopausal symptoms
insomnia
depression
anxiety
nervousness
neurosis
Warts