What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine that has been developed and practiced for over 2,500 years. It is one of the longest established forms of healthcare in the world and is practiced in over 180 countries globally. It is also considered the primary healthcare system by hundreds of millions of people around the world.

The theory that underpins acupuncture is that of a network of channels (also known as meridians) through which our vital energy flows. The energy takes many forms and has lots of different functions. When our energy system is in balance, we experience good physical health and vitality, we feel grounded and content and we are able to overcome challenges with relative ease.

Our energy can become unbalanced or blocked, or can become excessive or deficient in certain areas. This can happen for a variety of reasons such as illness or injury, inherited weakness or our lifestyle choices such as exercise and diet. Our emotions and stress can also have an impact on our energetic system. Blocks and imbalances in this energy system can result in a wide array of physical, emotional and spiritual symptoms. You can read more about what acupuncture can treat here.

Acupuncturists use fine needles to manipulate, unblock, increase or sedate the energy at specific points on the channels in order to restore balance in the meridian system. Some acupuncturists use moxa (a dried herb) to warm the acupuncture points, and some also use cupping and guasha to help move stagnant or stuck energy.

Different styles of Acupuncture

Five Element acupuncture

Five Element acupuncture is based on ancient classical theory and offers a framework for understanding the root cause of illness in a patient. Symptoms are taken into account but are not the only basis for diagnosis. A Five Element acupuncturist will diagnose a patient’s energetic “weakest link” in the cycle of the Five Elements which is considered the root cause of illness, and will administer treatment at that level. Rectifying the root imbalance will bring the whole cycle back into alignment, and symptoms displayed by any of the Elements or organ channels will resolve. Treatments are individual to the patient, not the illness.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

TCM is a more modern style of acupuncture, developed in the last century, that takes a more Western approach to treatment. It is a more widely practiced style of acupuncture, and it looks at symptoms, identifies patterns and treats the illness rather than the individual patient. A TCM practitioner will identify syndromes present in the patient, such as Damp, Heat, Cold, Phlegm etc, and will clear or tonify as needed. Whilst it uses the same points as Five Elements, the treatment approach is considerably different.

Western medical acupuncture

This style of acupuncture is commonly used by physiotherapists and osteopaths to treat trigger points and muscular tension and pains. It isn’t based on Chinese medical theory and doesn’t use acupuncture points. Instead a practitioner will look for knots in the muscles and try to loosen them.

I am trained in all three styles of acupuncture which allows me to treat a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms, and provides me with a rich toolbox of treatment approaches. I also use moxa (a type of herb used to warm points before needling), cupping and / or guasha as required.