Wellness Digest

Traditional Chinese medicine comprises many folk medical practices based on spirituality. The body's vital energy, or Chi, circulates through channels known as meridians.  Meridians consist of branches which connect to bodily organs or functions. Any imbalance or interruption of chi is believed to be attributed to illnesses. Ancient practices such as acupuncture, Qigong and herbal use are thought to restore this balance.

Acupuncture involves inserting slim, stainless steel needles into assorted parts of the body. Sometimes, low frequency electric currents are applied to the needles to produce a greater stimulation. There are other procedures that may be used in conjunction with acupuncture including:

Moxibustion (burning of floss or herbs which are applied to the skin)

Injection of sterilized water

Procaine

Morphine

Vitamins

Homeopathic solutions which are inserted through the needles

Applications of laser beams (laser puncture)

Placement of needles in the ear (auriculotherapy)

Acupressure (use of manual pressure)

Treatment is applied to the acupuncture points which are believed to be located throughout the body. There were originally 365 points which represented the days of the year but during the past 2000 years, proponents have identified more and this number has increased gradually to around 2000.

Many practitioners place needles near or on the area of the disease whereas others select points according to the patient’s symptoms. Traditional acupuncture consists of a combination of points being used.

Most acupuncturists follow the traditional Chinese view of health and disease and consider that acupuncture along with herbal remedies and other related practices are valid approaches to curing disease. Other acupuncturists disagree with this traditional approach and believe that the process of acupuncture merely offers a way to relieve pain.

An acupuncturist diagnoses by asking the patient many questions including medical history and their lifestyle. They observe the skin and tongue along with listening to breathing sounds and pulse recording.

Where medical science recognises one pulse which corresponds with the heartbeat, acupuncturists believe that there are six pulses which correlate with the body’s organs and functions.

Certain acupuncturists believe that the electrical properties in the body can become imbalanced several weeks or months before the physical symptoms occur. They also claim that acupuncture can have its benefits when the patient complaints that they don’t feel 100% even when disease is not apparent.

Acupuncturists claim to cure chronic pain including pain in the neck and back, migraines and headaches, injury related pain such as strains, ligament and muscle tear, problems with the stomach and the intestines, cardiovascular conditions, genitourinary conditions, muscle and nerve problems and behavioural problems.

It has to be noted that most of the evidence that supports these claims derive from the practitioner’s observations through poor, uncontrolled studies so some of the beneficial results may not be entirely reliable.

Although it is not exactly known how acupuncture can relieve pain, theories suggest that pain impulses are blocked from reaching the spinal cord and the brain. Another theory claims that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce narcotic like substances which reduce the pain.