Acupuncture
The practice of Acupuncture and Moxibustion is based on the theory of channels. According to this theory, Qi (vital energy) and blood circulate in the body through a system of channels called channels, connecting internal organs with external organs or tissues. By stimulating certain points of the body surface reached by channels through needling or Moxibustion, the flow of Qi and blood can be regulated and diseases are thus treated. These stimulation points are called Acupuncture points, or acupuncture points.
Acupuncture points reside along more than a dozen of major channels. There are 12 pairs of regular channels that are systematically distributed over both sides of the body, and two major extra channels running along the midlines of the abdomen and back. Along these channels more than three hundred Acupuncture points are identified, each having its own therapeutic action. For examples, the point He Gu (LI-4), located between the first and second metacarpal bones, can reduce pain in the head and mouth. The point Shen Men (HT-7), located on the medial end of the transverse crease of the wrist, can induce tranquilization.
In Acupuncture clinics, the practitioner first selects appropriate Acupuncture points along different channels based on identified health problems. Then very fine and thin needles are inserted into these Acupuncture points. The needles are made of stainless steel and vary in length from half an inch to 3 inches. The choice of needle is usually determined by the location of the Acupuncture point and the effects being sought. If the point is correctly located and the required depth reached, the patient will usually experience a feeling of soreness, heaviness, numbness and distention. The manipulator will simultaneously feel that the needle is tightened.
The needles are usually left in situ for 15-30 minutes. During this time the needles may be manipulated to achieve the effect of tonifying the Qi. Needle manipulations are generally involved with lifting, thrusting, twisting and rotating, according to treatment specifications for the health problem. Needling may also be activated by electrical stimulation, a procedure usually called Electro-acupuncture, in which manipulations are attained through varying frequencies and voltages.
Treatment protocols, frequency and duration are a matter of professional judgment of the practitioner, in consultation with the patient. A common course of treatment may initially involve between ten and fifteen treatments spaced at approximately weekly intervals, and spread out to monthly later in a program.
A professional practitioner will always warn the patient of the possibility of exacerbation at the start of a course of treatment. The patients may find that in the short term after treatment, the symptoms may in fact get worse before an improvement sets in. This is a quite common feature of acupuncture treatment.
Patients should inquire about types of needles used prior to treatment. Most practitioners now use pre-packed and sterilized disposable needles that are only used once.
The effectiveness of an Acupuncture treatment is strongly dependent upon an accurate Chinese medical diagnosis. The needling skills and techniques of the practitioner will also influence greatly the effectiveness of the outcome.
Acupuncture can be remarkably effective in many conditions, but in the West, patients often use Acupuncture as the last option for their long-term chronic problems. Therefore we sometimes see the treatment as slow and in some cases of marginal benefit. With the gradual establishment of acupuncture as the treatment of choice for many people, the effectiveness of the approach with acute as well as with more chronic conditions is being recognized. Acupuncture is often conducted in combination with other treatment modalities such as Moxibustion, Cupping, Gua Sha and/or Tui Na.
Citing: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia. (2016). What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Retrieved from https://www.ctcma.bc.ca/public-protection/what-is-tcm
