Traditional acupuncture is a healthcare system based on principles of Chinese medicine that originated over 2500 years ago. 
The other main components of Chinese medicine are herbalism, massage, food energetics and exercise. As the oldest continually practised medical system in the world it has been used to restore, nourish and maintain good health for thousands of years in China, Japan and South East Asia. Acupuncture has been developed, researched and refined over centuries.
Acupuncture is holistic
Traditional acupuncture offers a holistic approach to treatment with a complex and detailed understanding of the body’s energetic balance. It views good health as being dependent on the body’s motivating energy, known as Qi, moving in a smooth and balanced way through a system of channels beneath the skin. As Qi spreads throughout the body it regulates, transforms, nourishes and catalyses organ functions and bodily processes. When Qi becomes unbalanced, ill-health and pain can result.
Any number of factors can disturb, deplete or block the flow of Qi. These include emotional states such as anxiety, shock, worry, sadness, frustration or fear. Environmental factors such as prevalent infections or weather conditions. Other causes can be hereditary or lifestyle related; aspects of diet, inappropriate use of alcohol or drugs, stress, overwork and lack of, or unsuitable exercise. Qi can also be injured by physical trauma through accidents or surgery.
Diagnosis and treatment
Traditional acupuncture diagnosis analyses how and why the balance of energies has been disturbed. This involves a qualitative assessment of function and understanding the potential causes of symptoms.
By inserting ultra-fine sterile needles into specific acupuncture points, traditional acupuncture aims to support the body to heal itself by rebalancing the body’s energy systems. Treatment focuses on the cause of a condition as well as the main symptoms.
Acupuncture works for modern life
This approach is uniquely suited to modern life for the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a person are perceived as interdependent. Traditional acupuncture is able to connect and make sense of the impact on a person of different aspects of complex modern life.
© 2014 Balwant Kaur All Rights Reserved
