What is Qi?
Qi (气) is a key concept of oriental culture which identifies a fundamental principle that forms and animates the universe and life itself. Chinese texts describe Qi as vital breath with alternating traffic Yin & Yang (opposite, duality of nature). Qi in a living organism circulates within the body through meridians. Meridians are channels and pathways that convey energy throughout the whole body.
‘Simplistically saying, Qi consists of “qi’ons” which propagates along the meridians like waves in the river’
Modern science of quantum physics giving us a surprisingly similar description of quantum field: 'there are charged particles that are constantly oscillating even in a vacuum state.' According to quantum mechanics, 'the vacuum state is not truly empty but instead contains fleeting electromagnetic waves and particles that pop in and out of existence'. If we apply this knowlege to ancient study of energy as can simplistically say, Qi consists of “qi’ons” which propagates along the meridians like waves in the river’. Where Qi is blocked, there could be a problem. By unblocking the Qi we can restore natural flow of energy and create a balance in the body.
Currently, there is a lot of research going on in the field of acupuncture. Why? Because this knowledge came from our remote ancestors and the modern us are struggling to make any logic sense of it, but still acupuncture is able to resolve some serious health issues today.
Meridians and Acupuncture Points
There are 12 principal meridians and 8 extraordinary meridians; they are interconnected inside the body just like the tunnels in the underground. The function of the meridians is to convey energy. Scientists managed to pass through them electrical, light and sound waves to confirm their function . Each meridian has biologically active points, they are typically located at the neural junctions and characterised by low skin resistance .
The Treatment
Inserting the acupuncture needle is aimed to unblock, stimulate or reduce energy flow in the body.
A consultation begins with questioning; a therapist first listens to your complaints and symptoms, then assesses your state of energy looking for any Yin/Yang imbalances, then takes your pulse for TCM diagnosis, and looks at your tongue (It is preferred that tongue is not brushed before your session to represent your natural body environment).
When the assessment is complete, the therapist choses specific points for your syndrome and symptoms as well as the points on your back to optimise the function of your inner organs. It is importnt to find the cause of the problem first and not just treat points symptomatically.
How safe is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is all-natural, drug-free therapy, with minimal chance for infection as nowadays all needles are sterile and single-use
This treatment provides energy to the body and supports other treatments, for example nutritional, physiotherapy or any other therapy aimed at rehabilitation.
What to expect after the treatment:
• Energy presence, feeling balanced, relaxed and positive, opposite of a caffeine rush
• Improvement in physical performance and endurance
• Mental clarity
• Better sleep
• Improvement of microcirculation
• Possible improvement in injury repair
How many treatments do I need?
The number of treatments varies from one person to another. The key decision factor is how long you had the problem, the more recent problems resolve quicker. Age and vitality also plays a role in the speed of your recovery. Allow approximately a month to see some tangible results.
Treatment is approximately 30 minutes
The World Health Organisation recognises Acupuncture and TCM ability to treat over 43 common disorders, including:
• Muscular-skeletal disorders and injuries: osteoarthritis, low back, neck, joints pain
• Gastro-intestinal: food allergies, peptic ulcer, IBS, chronic diarrhoea, constipation
• Urogenital: urinary tract infection, incontinence, irregular painful heavy periods, PMS
• Respiratory: asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis
• Others: hypertension, depression, anxiety, headaches, insomnia
What to expect after the treatment:
• energy presence, feeling balanced, relaxed and positive
• better sleep
• improvement in natural healing and injury repair
‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic’
Arthur C Clark
A little background...
Acupuncture is the ancient art of healing using needles inserted into specific points of the skin. The oldest description of acupuncture as a healing modality was found on bone etchings thought to be from around 1600 B.C. almost 4000 years ago .
At that time they used pointed stones, animal bones, bamboo needles, and later metal needles. Today acupuncturists use very fine needles gently inserted into the acupuncture points to activate the flow of Qi.
Acupuncture therapy
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