Acupuncture uses the ancient art and science of Classical Chinese Medicine, a holistic approach that recognizes that living in harmony with nature promotes health. This is based on the philosophies of Yin & Yang and of the role of the five elements in the body. By addressing energetic, emotional, and spiritual imbalances, the body is able to heal and return to health.
The human body is an energetic system with a life-force flowing through it that the Chinese refer to as Chi. This energy connects every human to the rest of the world and is responsible for the nourishment of all of the organ systems of the body. “Meridian” is the name given to the linear channels that allow Chi to flow throughout the body. When blockages develop in the flow of this energy, the processes of disease may begin to take hold.
The application of Acupuncture needles, placed at strategic points along these meridians, restores the flow of energy. Moxabustion is the heating of the herb Ai Ye over the skin, which penetrates deeply to warm and move energy. The Herbs are very powerful medicines, showing by perfect example how to live in harmony with nature. Each of these treatments allows the nourishing forces of Chi to move freely so the body may begin to heal itself.
Acupuncture supports healthcare practices
A report published in 2017 showed that the addition of acupuncture compared to standard medical care alone significantly reduced the number of headaches and migraine attacks and reduced the severity of neck and lower back pain. It also showed that acupuncture reduced the pain and disability of osteoarthritis, which led to patients being less reliant on anti-inflammatory tablets to control pain.
Reported in the same study of another group of 755 patients with depression, researchers showed that both acupuncture and counselling significantly reduced the severity of depressions and that these benefits were largely sustained for up to 12 months after treatment.
TCM & Acupuncture
Conditions treated successfully with acupuncture include pain management, addiction, and gastrointestinal diseases including IBS, IBD, gastroesophageal reflux, and dyspepsia. Studies suggest that acupuncture helps in the treatment of opioid addiction, particularly in relieving withdrawal-related anxiety and depression during the detoxification process.
Acupuncture is known to be helpful in the management of pain in those with chronic pain conditions and cancer patients, and many people undergoing cancer treatment find acupuncture to be an effective pain management strategy either in combination with or as an alternative to medication.
Acupuncture can also be used in the treatment of asthma, and many people find it relieves pain and symptoms of a number of other health problems. 15 Acupuncture is becoming an increasingly widely used form of integrative health treatment that can be used on its own or to complement patient care for a number of medical issues.
The Hawthorn Acupuncture Team
