What is Acupuncture

Scientists have recently discovered that every cell of the body has a tiny electro-magetic charge, this electricity was known to the ancient chinese and they discovered that it flows in channels, which are called meridians, in an unbroken circuit around the body (similar to the circulatory system). They called it ‘Qi.’ The flow of Qi can be disturbed by many factors, physical, mental and emotional: anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate, reduce or re-establish the flow of qi and restore its natural balance. The principle aim of acupuncture is to maintain or restore health physically and emotionally. This is done by preventative or curative techniques respectivly.For more information please contact Gary Hussey at The Wimborne Clinic.

History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used in the Far East to restore, promote and maintain good health for over 2,500 years. The first needles were made from stone, and then later from bronze, gold and silver. The first medical account of acupuncture was The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine which dates from about 300 BC.

Acupuncture is rooted in the Daoist philosophy, yin and yang, the five elements, the organ system and the meridian network along which acupuncture points are located. These records also contain details of pathology and physiology which some 2,000 years later provide the theoretical foundation for acupuncture today. Acupuncture practice has gradually developed and been refined by masters such as the famous Chinese herbalist Li Shi Zen who, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), published his fifty-volume Compendium of Materia Medica, as well as a study of the Pulse and the Extraordinary Meridians.

Acupuncture was not the subject of serious study in Britain until the late 1950s. Links were made either through Europe, to where many Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese master practitioners had moved. The early students of acupuncture were often those already practising natural medicines - osteopaths, homeopaths and naturopaths. For many of them traditional Chinese medicine seemed to recognise and formalise many of the concepts they had uncovered through their own experience as practitioners.

There has been a steady increase in the number of professionally trained acupuncturists in the UK, from just a handful of qualified practitioners in the 1970s to over 2,800 registered with the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) in 2007.

 
What can Acupuncture treat?

• Asthma
• Tiredness
• Sciatica
• Migraine
• Bronchitis
• High blood pressure
• Haemorrhoids
• Digestive problems
• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Menstrual problems
• Emotional disorders
• Stress
• Musculo-skeletal problems
• Sinusitis
• Impotence
• M.E.
• Anxiety
• Hay fever
• Dizziness
• Infertility
• Fibromyalgia
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Skin conditions
• Urinary disorders

Who has Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is extremly versatile medicine, it is most widely known to treat physical problems such as pain, since it works on an emotional level it can also be used to treat phycological conditions, these might include anxiety, asthma, depression, sciatica, high blood pressure, arthritis, repetative strain, infertility and other gynaecological problems, digestive problems, headaches, sinusitus, low immunity, fibro-myalgia, ME,  spinal disc prolapse, any non specific pain, IBS, excema, allergies, infections, nausia, menieres disease, menopausal symptoms, emotional problems that have become habit such as phobia, prolonged grief and excessive anger.

The benefits of Acupuncture frequently include more than the relief of a particular condition. Patients often feel increased energy levels, sleep better and get an enhanced sence of overall wellbeing. As mensioned earlier it is also used preventativly for health maintainance, these patients are usually seen every three months. This is by far the best method of using acupuncture, prevention is better than cure as the old saying goes.

Acupuncture is a safe treatment for all. It is used safely on babies and children and is  beneficial for age associated problems such as enlarged prostrate. It is very effective for all the problems asssociated with pregnancy such as morning sickness or high blood pressure and is useful when overcoming addictions to drugs and can be used to minimise  the withdrawl effects of  alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs.

The treatment process

Treatments last about 30 minutes. The first one lasts 45 minutes because of the consultation. You will be asked current sypmtoms, past medical history, possibly family history. Pulse diagnosis is used to diagnose the problem in the ‘Qi’ and from this the points are selected. One to five needles are used in each treatment and these are retained for twenty minutes and are usually painless. As a general rule of thumb acute patients are seen weekly and chronic patients are seen fortightly or monthly.

All members of the British Acupuncture Council must observe a strict code of practice, which lays down the stringent standards of hygene aproved by the department of health.