Acupuncture
Today
in most western cultures acupuncture is considered a "new alternative"
medicine. In reality Acupuncture (and its related Moxibustion) are
practiced medical treatments that are over 5,000 years old. Very
basically, Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles, (sometimes
in conjunction with electrical stimulus), on the body's surface, in order
to influence physiological functioning of the body.
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 theorized 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 . (I will
discuss Yin and Yang a little later). If the flow of Qi is insufficient,
unbalanced or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may
occur. Qi travels throughout the body along "Meridians" or special
pathways. The Meridians, (or Channels), are the same on both sides of the
body (paired). 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.
Energy constantly flows
up and down these pathways. When pathways become obstructed, deficient,
excessive, or just unbalanced, Yin and Yang are said to be thrown out of
balance. This causes illness. Acupuncture is said to restore the balance.
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 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 many diseases
that can be treated successfully by Acupuncture or its related treatments.
The most common ailments currently being 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 can not rid the mind of the habit (psychological dependency). For this
reason, Acupuncture treatment of addictions has not been fully successful.
As exerpted from
Jeffrey Singer’s paper “What is Acupuncture” from
www.acupuncture.com
