Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

What is Acupuncture?

Based on the laws governing nature and the universe, acupuncture is one of the oldest systems of healing known to man, with its origins dating back 4,000 year in China . Its theory, laws and methods of application to the human body appeared first in manuscript form around 400 BC in the Nei Ching or The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine.

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (T.C.A.) concerns itself with the individual and his or her whole being. During diagnosis and treatment, the concept of T.C.A. involves understanding the unity of body, mind and spirit and allows for recognizing that a symptom may have its cause in any level of being. Unlike Local Doctor Acupuncture or other forms of symptomatic acupuncture, traditional acupuncture attempts to treat the underlying malfunction. As this is done, the symptoms disappear of their own accord.

According to T.C.A., the vital force called qi energy controls the functioning of the main organs and systems of the body and its mental, emotional and spiritual processes. Qi energy circulates throughout the body along specific pathways, part of a system distinct from the nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. For physical, mental, emotional and spiritual processes to function properly, Qi energy must flow freely and in the correct quantity and quality.

Any disease, any symptom, whether it be physical, mental or spiritual, according to T.C.A., is a result of the qi energy going awry. Restoring health is dependent on the restoration of qi energy. The work of the practitioner is to assess the qi, to locate the “blocks” and areas of distress in the system and then to help restore balance and harmony.

What is Five Element Traditional Chinese Acupuncture?

Five Element T.C.A. focuses on five principal avenues of information. These are:

1. facial color,
2. sound qualities of the voice,
3. subtle body odors,
4. inappropriate emotions and
5. the pulses of each of the twelve major pathways of qi energy.

In addition, the individual’s medical history and information such as dreams, preferences for taste and certain seasons as well as body language—all aid the practitioner in defining the causes of the illness. Other forms of traditional acupuncture, such as those utilizing the Eight Guiding Principles, make use of tongue diagnosis as well as symptom patterns.

About the Acupuncture Treatments

Traditional acupuncture treatments are carried out by gently inserting very thin (no thicker than two or three strands of hair) flexible needles into specific points on the body which lie about one-fourth to one inch beneath the skin. A slight, momentary sensation accompanies contact with the point. Then the needles are manipulated and taken out, or left twenty to forty-minutes depending on the effect desired. Heat may be applied to acupuncture points with moxa, made from the herb Artemisia vulgaris latiflora.

How Often are Treatments Given?

Treatments may initially vary from twice a week to once a week, depending on the severity of the problem and the individual’s response. With improved health, they can be spaced out to once a month. With restored body-mind-spirit balance, only occasional treatment may be needed for maintenance.

Research studies suggest that traditional acupuncture can be applied to many conditions, including pain related problems, menstrual disorders, breathing disorders and addictions. The World Health Organization lists 32 conditions (neurological, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and respiratory) that lend themselves to acupuncture treatment. Emotional disorders are also amenable to treatment. Acupuncture is not recommended in emergency situations resulting from accidents or for conditions when surgical intervention is necessary.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

The following information is from the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance:

People around the world have relied on Oriental medicine for thousands of years. There are many colleges, both in the U.S. and abroad, with excellent Chinese herbal medicine programs. In the U.S. , Chinese herbal practitioners are usually licensed as acupuncturists, but practicing herbalists are becoming more and more common in a number of states.

In seeking a qualified herbalist, look for a practitioner who is comprehensively trained in Chinese herbal medicine. While many states require that all licensed acupuncturists be trained and tested in Chinese herbal medicine, others do not.

Chinese herbalists are tested and certified by the NCCAOM in Chinese herbal medicine. A patient should ask practitioners about their training and experience in Chinese herbal medicine.

Herb Basics

Modern research and international health organizations agree that herbal medicine is a safe and highly effective treatment for many conditions. Including:

• Breathing problems: colds, flu, allergies, asthma, emphysema, sinusitis, and bronchitis
• Emotional Issues: anxiety, depression, insomnia, and mood swings
• Digestive difficulties: acute/chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastritis ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome
• Bladder problems: urinary tract infections, and prostatitis
• Reproductive issues: irregular/painful menstruation, infertility, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and sexual dysfunction
• Pain: neuralgia, migraine headaches, dizziness, low back, neck and shoulder pain
• Circulatory problems: hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis, anemia
• Supportive therapy: painful, debilitating disorders such as hepatitis, fibromyalgia, and auto-immune disease.

Expert Testimony

"Worldwise, only ten to tthirty persent of people use conventional meidcine, seventy to ninety percent use alternative medicine."  -NIH.  Alternative medicine: Explanding Medical Horizons

"Traditional Chinese medicine has been chosen by the World health Organization for worldwide propogation to meet the health care needs of the twenty-first century."  -Burton Goldberg. Alternative Medicine:  The Definitive Guide

"One out of three drugs prescribed in Germany is an herb."  -Donald J. Brown, N.D.  the Use of Herbal Medicine in a Clinical Setting

"In 1993, Americans spent an estimated $1.5 billion on herbal remedies - ten times more than was spent on over-the-counter sleeping pills from grocery stores and drug stores."  -Bill Gottlieb.  New Choices in Natural Healing

The AOMLAlliance is a membership association committed to improving public health through acupuncture and Oriental medicine. For more information, please call 1-800-814-5956 or visit us on the web at www.aomalliance.org .