Background  |  Who can benefit?  |  What to expect at a treatment

Acupuncture is part of the traditional holistic medicine of China, which has been developed over the last three thousand years and has arrived at a unique understanding of human beings in health and illness. The main therapies of Chinese medicine are herbalism, acupuncture, massage (tuina) and exercise (qi gong, tai chi).

Acupuncture is a method of using fine needles to stimulate invisible pathways of "qi" - which loosely translates as energy. These pathways (or meridians) run beneath the surface of the skin, and stimulation of points along them effects a change in the energy balance of the body, which works to restore health.

Patient and practitioner work together: while acupuncture treatments promote the restoration of the patient's natural state of balance, the patient himself is equipped to take greater responsibility for his health and wellbeing.

Chinese medical theory has a precise and profound understanding of the interface between body, mind and spirit, and the relationship between the individual and her environment. Health is viewed as a state of balance, harmony and relaxed flow. The Chinese medicine practitioner identifies patterns of disharmony by investigating the physical and emotional traits, age, habits and all aspects of the individual. The subtle diagnostic tools of tongue and pulse examination are integral to this process.

One of the greatest services the Chinese Medicine practitioner can perform for the patient is the imparting of information and advice. Because Chinese medical diagnosis can penetrate to the underlying causes of disease, the patient can learn more about himself, how to participate in his recovery - and how to stay balanced and well. This may involve making lifestyle changes around diet, exercise and relaxation, for instance, or identifying and addressing emotional issues.

Qi is unknown in Western medicine. In simple terms it is our vital energy. It keeps the blood circulating, warms the body and fights disease. Qi flows through certain channels forming a network that links all parts and functions together so that they work as a whole. Changes in qi precede physical change, so acupuncture can act as preventive medicine, correcting the energy before a serious illness can occur. If physical change has already occurred, it can sometimes be reversed by adjusting the qi.