Acupuncture (from the latin acus = needle and pungere = puncture) is one of the basic treatments of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and goes back to more than 4000 years in history. It is based on the understanding of the Meridians, a network of energy vessels that run through our body to nourish our organs and cells, guaranteeing their physiological function (e.g. digestion, sleep, fertility, etc.) There are more than 500 acupuncture points in our body.
The concept of traditional chinese anatomy fundamentally differs from our western point of view. To understand the ancient and proven technique, we must travel to another culture where medicine, philosophy and the comprehension of health and illness are tightly connected. I invite you to explore this new world and discover the benefits of acupuncture for yourself to recover from illness and remain healthy.
In our modern world, there are increasingly more negative factors influencing us, like stress, poor diet, pollution of the natural environment, negative emotions and emotional conflicts that can provoke blockages in our Qi. Those blockages can trigger pathological changes which manifest as pain, exhaustion, anxiety, sleeplessness, digestive problems and many others.
We can relieve these blockages by inserting fine needles into the meridian system which stimulates specific points. Through this method, we can treat acute discomfort (e.g. inflammation of the sciatic nerve) as well as chronic disorders (e.g. chronic arthritis) and prevent the emergence of new health problems.
Acupuncture comes from a holistic understanding of the human body and closely connects the physical, mental and emotional which explains why it can treat both physical ailments and emotional disturbances. In essence, acupuncture relieves blockages and provides for the free flow of energy in our body that is directly linked to an individual’s health. While a genetic predisposition can influence health, we are also exposed to and affected by many external factors like our natural and social environment, work, lifestyle, etc. These influences can have both positive and negative effects on our health.
Our immune system has a strong capacity to protect us and “digest” most of those negative factors, but often the accumulation of multiple insults to our health can destabilize our body such that we need an external impulse to regain a balance of energy. This impulse is what we trigger with the stimulation of the acupuncture points.
In TCM the origin of all disease is a blockage in the Qi (Meridian system); thus, there is no person or disorder that we cannot treat with acupuncture.
The most common disease pattern treated are:
-
Back pain (cervical, lower back, sciatic nerve)
-
Joint pain (arthritis, rheumatism)
-
Muscle tension
-
Tendinitis
-
Sprains and contusions
-
Migraines
-
Anxiety and depression
-
Sleeplessness
-
Hormonal disorders (infertility, menopause)
-
Prenatal preparation for birth / breech birth / induction of labour
Acupuncture provides the free flow of energy through our system and helps it to recover naturally.
The number of treatments vary according to the problem. Generally, the longer you have been struggling with a pain/illness/discomfort, the longer it will need to recover 100%, meaning that acute problems can be resolved in days to weeks while chronic issues need a prolonged course of treatment. It is important to adhere to a preset schedule of treatments separated by specific intervals, particularly at the beginning, in order to guarantee sustainable results. Before the first treatment, it is very important for the practitioner to get to know the patient and her/his past medical history. TCM incorporates the physical examination of the pulse and the tongue as well as palpation of the meridians to inform the condition and treatment of the patient.
After the plan is formulated, the needles are inserted into specific points in the body, and the patient should remain in a relaxed position for 20 to 30 minutes. The needles are then removed and the feedback of the patient about her/his actual feeling is recorded. At times, permanent needles or seeds are added to the therapy, which can remain in place for up to one week.
Yes, acupuncture is compatible with all other modalities of therapy. If you take multiple medications, it can delay the effect of the acupuncture treatment, but there is no specific contraindication other than some types of anticoagulation. Acupuncture does not have any side effects, so it can be used in people of any age or health condition.
-
Acupuncture of body, head and limbs
-
Auriculotherapy (acupuncture of the ear)
-
Cosmetic acupuncture (reduction of wrinkles, dermatological problems)
-
Moxibustion= heating of specific acupuncture points
-
This consists of nurning dried leaves of mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris) near the patient’s skin. The special heat penetrates deeply into the meridians where it stimulates blood flow and the free flow of Qi (energy). It is particularly effective in turning breech babies.
-
Acupressure = constant pressure on special acupuncture points.
Acupuncture is a gentle and natural way to treat discomfort during pregnancy, having been succesfully used in morning sickness, nausea and vomiting, lower back pain and sciatic nerve pain, heavy legs, and can prepare a mother´s body for labour.
Studies have proven that there is a possibility that it shortens the first stage of labor (cervical dilatation) and can facilitate good contractions that support a natural delivery.
If you have a stable pregnancy, acupuncture is a safe method to enjoy a pleasant and healthy pregnancy and labour.
Die Akupunktur ist eine sanfte
und natürliche Methode, um
Schwangerschaftsbeschwerden
zu lindern.
