CAROLINE KING

Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that has been used for over 2,500 years. It was initially used in China and many Asian countries but it now practised worldwide. It works by inserting very thin needles at specific acupuncture points, which allows the body to balance itself by balancing the energy (qi) flowing through the meridians.

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Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of conditions. The central principle behind treatment is to look at the whole person, not simply the presenting complaint. In traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCM), the acupuncturist decides which points to treat by observing and questioning the patient to make a diagnosis. The first treatment, which lasts 1-1.5 hours involves taking a full case history (diet, lifestyle, occupation) and conducting a physical examination; taking the pulse on both sides and examining the tongue. This allows individualisation of the treatment to the needs of the patient.

 

5-element acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese philosophy, which postulates that the entire universe can be observed and experienced through the five elements as found in nature; Wood, Water, Fire, Earth and Metal. These elements symbolise the different qualities which each season brings to the year but are also thought to be a way of understanding all phenomena. Classical 5-element acupuncture looks for emotional or spirit level causes for the patients’ dis-ease (disease) and believes by healing at this level the whole person moves forward not just their presenting symptoms.

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TCM can also use moxibustion (burning of moxa/artesium mugwort, a Chinese herb) to increase warmth in certain parts of the body and cupping therapy (the use of local suction on the skin around areas of muscular tension to increase the flow of qi).

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Acupressure, which works on the same principles of balancing qi, involves using physical pressure on the acupuncture and is often used in children.