WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing that dates back millennia. It originated in China, spreading to other cultures in the Far East and more recently to the West. It is based on the principle that good health is dependent upon the body’s free flow of vital energy, known as Qi in Chinese medicine. If the flow of Qi is weak or becomes blocked, imbalances result that can lead to ill health, pain and/or a general feeling of ‘dis-ease’. Stimulating the body’s own healing response through acupuncture restores its natural balance and promotes physical and emotional harmony.
Traditional acupuncturists focus on the patient as an individual, not just on a specific illness; all symptoms are considered part of an interconnected pattern. Treatment is aimed at the root of your condition. As the body is gradually brought back into balance, you may notice that other ailments are being alleviated as well as your main health complaints.
Increasingly, evidence-based clinical research is discovering how the body responds to acupuncture, and how treatment can address a wide range of common health complaints. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), an executive public body of the Department of Health serving the NHS, recommends acupuncture for the treatment of specific conditions such as chronic tension-type headaches and migraines, and chronic lower back pain. The respected Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) recommends acupuncture for chronic pain.