Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine that falls into the category of energy healing medicine. It is based upon the opinion that disruptions in energy fields cause disease and is one of the primary types of treatment used in traditional Chinese medicine. The process of acupuncture involves insertion of very sharp, sterilized thin needles into the body at precise points with the intention of adjusting, altering and improving the flow and balance of energy to promote healing of many health issues.

Chinese Medicine Principles

In Chinese medicine, there is no distinction between the mind and body. Illness is perceived as imbalances in the energetic system or internal organ system, and the objective of healing is to re-establish the body’s natural harmony. Because each body has distinctive traits of both disease and equilibrium, balance is restored by opening and adjusting the energy stream throughout the organ system.

Chinese medicine considers that causes of disease (dis-ease) in the body include the following:

• Emotional trauma and disturbances
• Environmental issues, including chemicals, toxins and climate conditions
• Lifestyle and relationships
• Injuries, accidents and physical trauma
• Dietary imbalances
• Viruses and germs

Although the above are contributing factors to illness, frailty in the body’s energetic system is seen as the primary reason that infection occurs. As with other energy healing modalities, acupuncture is a healing therapy based upon the premise that every physical issue has a mental and emotional component and that by clearing and altering the flow of energy, the body is stimulated to heal itself.

A basic concept of Chinese medicine is that a person’s chi, or fundamental life force energy, courses through the body by way of channels called meridians. Meridians are unseen lines running throughout the body that transmit energy to every organ and system. Disruptions in chi can be modified and corrected through acupuncture, where fine needles are used on key meridian points to improve the flow of energy through the body and ease symptoms.

It is also important to address the principles of yin and yang. Yin and yang are distinct and opposing principles that continuously interact in the body. As with all energy healing modalities, achieving balance and harmony throughout the body is essential for healing. Having too much of either yin or yang in an organ can create an imbalance, resulting in illness. Acupuncture can increase or decrease yin and yang as necessary to restore balance required for healing.

Chinese Organ System

According to Chinese medicine, each main organ is associated with chi energy as well as specific thoughts, beliefs and emotions. The main organs in the Chinese system are:

• Large intestine
• Small intestine
• Stomach
• Lung
• Heart
• Spleen
• Kidney
• Bladder
• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Pericardium
• The entire torso area, also called ‘triple warmer’ or triple burner’

Each organ manifests different types of symptoms and there is correlating chi for each organ that moves through the body. Acupuncture helps balance the system by creating a healthy flow of chi from one organ to another. Chinese medicine also holds the view that there are five main elements held in both the universe and the body that are fully interwoven: water, fire, earth, wood and metal. Each of these elements is associated with a main organ and correlate with symptoms of illness.

An extremely effective energy healing therapy, acupuncture addresses the intricacies of the relationship between physical, emotional and mental symptoms. By considering the causes of disease and association with the body’s organs, elements and imbalances, acupuncture adjusts and enhances the flow of energy to create balance and aid in healing numerous health concerns. 

 

Copyright © 2010 Carina Bachman / CrystalSpringsHealing.com