Acupuncture

Acupuncture practitioners: Clare McEvoy.

In most western cultures acupuncture is considered to be an alternative therapy.  However, Acupuncture has been practised as a medical treatment for over 5,000 years. Very basically, Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles on the body's surface, in order to influence physiological functions of the body.

We offer the following specialist acupuncture treatments:

-  Infertility
-  Stopping Smoking (and other addictions such as alcohol or drugs)
-  Facial Revitalisation (See below for more information)

However, acupuncture can help with a huge variety of health and emotional problems including:

-  Allergies
-  Asthma
-  Colds, coughs and flu
-  Depression
-  Digestion problems and indigestion
-  Constipation
-  Cystitis and bladder infections
-  Diarrhoea
-  Haemorrhoids
-  Hyper- and hypo-tension (high and low blood pressure)
-  Insomnia and distubed sleep
-  Menopause and hot flushes
-  Menstrual problems
-  Nausea
-  Pregnancy, including morning sickness and delayed or prolonged labour)
-  Prolapse
-  Sciatica
-  Stress
-  Sweating

The History of Acupuncture

The first record of Acupuncture is found in the 4,700 year old Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine). This is said to be the oldest medical textbook in the world. It is said to have been written down from even earlier theories by Shen Nung, the father of Chinese Medicine. Shen Nung documented theories about circulation, pulse, and the heart over 4,000 years before European medicine had any concept about them.

As the basis of Acupuncture, Shen Nung theorised that the body had an energy force running throughout it. This energy force is known as Qi (roughly pronounced "chee"). The Qi consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, emotional, mental and the physical aspects of life. A person's health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang . If the flow of Qi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may occur. This causes illness. Acupuncture is said to restore the balance.

Qi travels throughout the body along "Meridians" or special pathways. The Meridians, (or Channels), are the same on both sides of the body (paired). There are fourteen main meridians running vertically up and down the surface of the body. Out of these, there are twelve organ Meridians in each half of the body (remember they are in pairs). There are also two unpaired midline Meridians. The acupuncture points are specific locations where the Meridians come to the surface of the skin, and are easily accessible by "needling," Moxibustion, and Acupressure. The connections between them ensure that there is an even circulation of Qi, a balance between Yin and Yang.

Yin and Yang is an important theory in the discussion of Acupuncture treatment, in relation to the Chinese theory of body systems. As stated earlier Qi is an energy force that runs throughout the body. In addition, Qi is also prevalent throughout nature as well. Qi is comprised of two parts, Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are opposite forces, that when balanced, work together. Any upset in the balance will result in natural calamities, in nature; and disease in humans. Yin is signified by female attributes, passive, dark, cold, moist, that which moves medially, and deficient of Yang. Yang is signified by male attributes, light, active, warm, dry, that which moves laterally, and deficient of Yin. Nothing is completely Yin or Yang. The most striking example of this is man himself. A man is the combination of his mother (Yin) and his father (Yang). He contains qualities of both: This is the universal symbol describing the constant flow of yin and yang forces. You'll notice that within yin, there is Yang, and within Yang, there is the genesis of Yin. Whether or not you believe in Taoist philosophy, (which all this is based on), one thing is indisputable: Acupuncture works.

There are related procedures that fall into the range of Acupuncture treatments such as Moxibustion, which is the treatment of diseases by applying heat to Acupuncture points. Acupuncture and Moxibustion are considered complimentary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together. Moxibustion is used for ailments such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, certain types of paralysis, and arthritic disorders.

There are many diseases that can be treated successfully by Acupuncture or its related treatments. The most common ailments to be treated are: lower backache, Cervical Spondylosis, Condylitis, Arthritic Conditions, Headaches of all kinds (including migraine), Allergic Reactions, general and specific use for Analgesia (including surgery) and relief of muscles spasms. There have also been clinical trials in the use of Acupuncture in treating anxiety disorders and depression. Likewise, very high success rates have been found in treating addictions to alcohol, tobacco (nicotine) and "hard' drugs. Acupuncture can rid the body of the physical dependency, but cannot rid the mind of the habit (psychological dependency). For this reason, Acupuncture treatment of addictions has not been fully successful.
 

Facial Revitalisation Acupuncture

Like all acupuncture treatments, this works on Qi.  Facial Revitalisation Acupuncture brings energy to the muscles of the face, improving muscle tone and thereby reducing wrinkles.  The needles used are 0.16mm thick (that's really very thin!) and usually only about 7mm long.  It's really not a treatment ot be afraid of.  The treatment also includes some facial massage, which is given after the acpuncture.  The two processes complement each other to give a definite benefit.  There's no botox or filler involved - we're simply encouraging the body to use its own resources to improve your skin and muscle tone.