Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient branch of the Chinese medicine system that originated in China around 2000 years ago.   According to traditional Chinese medical philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy - known as Qi.  Qi flows throughout the body and moves in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels beneath the skin. 

The flow of qi can be disturbed by physical, mental and emotional factors.  By inserting very fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist works to stimulate the body's own healing response and help to restore it to a natural balance. 

Chinese medicine philosophy understands that symptoms arise following an imbalance in the body's Qi and other substances in the body (such as Blood, Yin, Yang and Jing).

In Chinese medicine, the practitioner works to understand why it is that symptoms arise and acts to stimulate the inherent healing mechanism of the patients physical, emotional and energetic systems.

Listening to the patient plays a vital role in making an accurate diagnosis and carrying out effective treatment. The practitioner will listen to a patient talk about their symptoms and their health history, listen to their pulses, observing their tongue characteristics, and palpate their abdomen and body before beginning treatment.

Acupuncture is used to support a range of physical, physiological and emotional conditions. To find out more about research with regards to specific symptoms you can visit the British Acupuncture Council Website here.