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Understanding the role of Alternative Therapies and Health
Health Topics on this page
What is Acupuncture? Practitioners of alternative medicine approach health and healing from a holistic perspective. This means that the main goal is to maintain and achieve optimum wellbeing in body, mind and spirit. As well as the care therapists provide, they also serve as teachers, and instruct their patients in effective self-care.
This ensures that they help their patients in their journey back to health, and also helps them to prevent any disease occurring in the first place. What follows in the featured pages is an overview of the other main therapies used to help the body to heal itself, and to give peace of mind through calming the mind and spirit.
AcupunctureChinese immigrants brought acupuncture to the U.S and Europe in the mid 1800s, but it was largely ignored until a respected New York Times columnist James Reston visited China in 1971 where he underwent an emergency operation. He reported on the amazing post-surgical pain relief he had via a few well place acupuncture needles.
This report attracted the attention of the medical community and many physicians travelled to China to observe the use of acupuncture for pain relief. They discovered that acupuncture is part of an integrated healing system that goes far beyond just pain relief, as it can treat a variety of conditions.
The World Health organisation (WHO) has cited over 40 conditions and symptoms that acupuncture can treat, including migraines, sinusitis, asthma, inflammation, addictions, ulcers and other digestive illnesses, and chronic pain from strokes, sciatica and osteoarthritis. How does it work?Acupuncture works on the premise that there are a number of “meridians”, or fine, duct-like tubes throughout the body – or a system of separate pathways within the body. Fluids in this system sometimes travel in the same direction as the blood and lymph fluids, but at other times flow in the opposite direction.
Practitioners realised that these ducts are different from the vascular system and that these meridians themselves might exist within them. Along these meridians are acupuncture “points” that stimulate the release of the body’s natural painkilling chemicals.
These acupuncture points have also been proved to have a higher level of electrical conductance than non-acupuncture points. Electrical currents did indeed flow along the meridians, acting as “amplifiers” to boost the minute electrical signals as they travel along the body, and that the insertion of a needle could interfere with that flow and thus block the stimulus of pain. What happens during treatment?
First time patients generally fill out a questionnaire regarding their medical history. They are then interviewed by the acupuncturist, who will study the patient, observing the colour of the face and any coating on the tongue.
Practitioners take into account body language and tone of voice, and will ask various questions about urine colour, menstrual cycle, sensitivity to temperature and seasons, digestive problems, eating and sleeping habits and emotional stress. Finally the practitioner will use the wrist to diagnose and test the 12 radial pulses commonly used in Chinese medical diagnosis.
Following diagnosis, specific needles are placed in any of over 1,000 locations on the body. Acupuncture calls for no more than 10-12 needles per treatment. In fact, the more skilful the practitioner, the fewer needles he or she is likely to need to use.
Essentially, acupuncture is painless. Apart from a slight pricking sensation that may be felt when needles are inserted, a competent acupuncturist will cause no pain. Any slight tugging or aching sensation passes quickly. As a patient, it is important to tell the acupuncturist if any point is uncomfortable, as a slight change of needle position or pressure can instantly eliminate the discomfort.
Acupuncture needles are of different lengths and gauges, but are essentially hair-thin, solid, and made from stainless steel. To protect both the practitioner and patients from AIDS and hepatitis, most use pre-sterilised, disposable needles.
Some treatments last only a few seconds while others take 45 minutes or longer. Sometimes a ear needle is used that lies flush against the ear and after being covered in tape can stay in place for about a week. Generally, however, the treatments last on average 20-30 minutes.
Chinese herbs in the form of teas, pills and capsules are often given to supplement the therapy. Finally, a practitioner may recommend changes in diet, lifestyle, and physical exercise to maximise health.
Other Therapies
Please follow the links below to find out more about some other therapies used for health.
Learn the Emotional Freedom Technique(EFT)
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