History
Acupuncture is an ancient Oriental Medical art and science; it is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. The word “holistic” means treating the patient as a whole, rather than treating the symptoms out of context of the human being who has the symptoms. Chinese medicine never considered the mind and body as separate from each other, emotional stress can cause or worsen physical symptoms and illness can affect us emotionally. In Chinese Medicine, when a body system, organ or Element is treated, the treatment is effective on all levels, not just the physical-the remedy has emotional and spiritual dimensions.
Before the invention of bloody tests, X-rays, ECGS and other modern diagnostic techniques of western medicine, practitioners of all forms of traditional medicine had to rely on external manifestations in order to understand the nature of the patient’s illness. Hippocrates, writing in Greece at around the same time as the writers of the Nei Jing, stated: “In the medical arts there exists no certainty except in the physical senses.”
The acupuncturist must work constantly to develop his ability to “look, hear, touch and smell”, if only he has sufficient sensitivity. The acupuncturist using his diagnostic methods can discern a great deal that remains unseen by the most sophisticated techniques of western medicine.
A Chinese saying states: ‘The skilful doctor treats those who are well, but the inferior doctor can only treat those who are ill.’ Preventative medicine-understanding your own weaknesses and imbalances- has been central to Chinese Theory for over 2,000 years.
What is extraordinary about Chinese medicine is that its diagnostic and therapeutic methods are so effective that, despite the introduction of modern scientific medicine, it continues to enjoy widespread support throughout the east. This in almost total contrast to the west where the state of medicine prior to the 19th century was such that, with the exception of some herbal remedies, it has been completely superseded.
In the past 2000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health systems combined. Today acupuncture is practiced widely around the world.
How does acupuncture work?
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface.These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. And obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.
The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and re-establish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
Broadly speaking, acupuncture has three primary effects:
1. It relieves pain.
2. It reduces inflammation.
3. It restores homeostasis.
What benefits can you expect from acupuncture?
Acupuncture reduces stress.
This is perhaps the most important systemic effect of acupuncture. Recent research suggests that acupuncture stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone and signalling substance that regulates the parasympathetic nervous system. You’ve probably heard of the “fight-or-flight” response that is governed by the sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system has been called the “rest-and-digest” or “calm-and-connect” system, and in many ways is the opposite of the sympathetic system. Recent research has implicated impaired parasympathetic function in a wide range of autoimmune diseases, including arthritis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Acupuncture promotes blood flow.
This is significant because everything the body needs to heal is in the blood, including oxygen, nutrients we absorb from food, immune substances, hormones, analgesics (painkillers) and anti-inflammatory. Restoring proper blood flow is vital to promoting and maintaining health. For example if blood flow is diminished by as little as 3% in the breast area cancer may develop. Blood flow decreases as we age and can be impacted by trauma, injuries and certain diseases. Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow and vasodilatation in several regions of the body.
Acupuncture stimulates the body’s built-in healing mechanisms.
Acupuncture creates “micro traumas” that stimulate the body’s ability to spontaneously heal injuries to the tissue through nervous, immune and endocrine system activation. As the body heals the micro traumas induced by acupuncture, it also heals any surrounding tissue damage left over from old injuries.
Acupuncture releases natural painkillers.
Inserting a needle sends a signal through the nervous system to the brain, where chemicals such as endorphins, norepinephrine and enkephalin are released. Some of these substances are 10-200 times more potent than morphine!
Acupuncture reduces both the intensity and perception of chronic pain.
It does this through a process called “descending control normalization”, which involves the serotonergic nervous system.
Acupuncture relaxes shortened muscles.
This in turn releases pressure on joint structures and nerves, and promotes blood flow.
Which disorders can be treated with acupuncture?
Acupuncture is known to treat a wide range of disorders including:
Neurological conditions
such as headaches, migraines, difficulty sleeping, nervous tension, stroke, some forms of deafness, facial and inter-costal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, some forms of paralysis, sequelae of poliomyelitis, peripheral neuropathy,noises in the ears, dizziness, and Meniere’s disease.
Cardiovascular disorders
such as high or low blood pressure, fluid retention, chest pain, angina pectoris, poor circulation, cold hands and feet, and muscle cramps.
Respiratory conditions
such as bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, hay fever, chronic cough, laryngitis, sore throat, influenza and the common cold.
Digestive system disorders
such as toothache, post-extraction pain, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, hiccough, spasms of the oesophagus, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric hyperacidity, gastritis, heartburn, hiatus hernia syndrome, flatulence, paralytic ileus, colitis, diarrhoea, constipation, haemorrhoids, liver and gall bladder disorders, and weight control.
Urogenital disorders
such as cystitis, prostatitis, orchitis, low sexual vitality, urinary retention, kidney disorders, nocturnal enuresis, and neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
Gynaecological and obstetric disorders
such as premenstrual tension, painful, heavy or irregular, or the absence of periods, abnormal uterine bleeding or discharge, hormonal disturbances, disorders associated with menopause, prolapse of the uterus or bladder, difficulty with conception, and morning sickness.
Skin conditions
such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, nerve rash, herpes zoster, acne, scar tissue and resultant adhesions, hair loss and dandruff.
Eye conditions
such as visual disorders, red, sore, itchy or watery eyes, conjunctivitis, simple cataracts, myopia in children, and central retinitis.
Musculoskeletal disorders
such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, lumbago, weak back, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tenosynovitis, shoulder and neck pain,cervicobrachial syndrome, ‘frozen shoulder’, and ‘tennis elbow’.
Sporting injuries
such as sprained ankles and knees, cartilage problems, corking and tearing of muscles, torn ligaments and bruises.
Psychological conditions
such as depression, phobias, emotional disturbances, anxiety, nervousness and addictions such as smoking.
Many other illnesses can be treated with acupuncture. Please contact us for your particular case.
Testimonials
I initially decided to try Chinese acupuncture to help with fertility issues. I had unfortunately had a failed round of IVF which had also in turn affected my M.S. Dr Jack firstly levelled out my relapse with my M.S. I then decided to try a more gentle fertility treatment combined with acupuncture and have managed to get pregnant, have a beautiful baby and have also stayed relapse free. It is the best I have felt for years! Paige and Jack are excellent in every way. Five stars. Highly recommended.
— A patient from Warwick
I recently suffered an attack of facial Bell ’s palsy. I contacted Jack who arranged to see me the same day and commenced an intensive daily programme of acupuncture. This fortunately resulted in a complete recovery over a relatively short period which I put down entirely to Jack’s early and dedicated intervention.
— Irving David, Stratford-upon-Avon
For more testimonials please click here.
Fees
30 – 40 mins per session
£30
Combination with acupressure or a course of treatments will enjoy a discount price.