The Origins of Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture and acupressure are fundamental elements of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture and acupressure are based on the idea of energy channels and meridians which run along the body.
The traditional Chinese medicine assumes that the “qi” or Chi (life energy) flows through the body in 14 main channels or meridians. The “qi” is made out of the two opposing forces namely “yin” and “yang”. The “yin” and “yang” energies are constantly flowing and they facilitate balance and harmony. If an imbalance between the energies occurs, the energy flow is blocked leading to pain or illness. There are over 350 acupuncture points spread over the 14 meridians (energy channels) which can be manipulated during both acupuncture and acupressure in order to regulate the energy flow.
Acupuncture
The function of acupuncture is to regulate the flow of the life energy in the body. Acupuncture involves the pricking of fine needles on the relevant acupuncture points on the meridians.
Acupressure
Acupressure is based on the same concept of meridians and pressure points as in acupuncture. The difference with acupressure is that the pain is treated by placing pressure on specific points on the body.
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The Effect of Acupuncture:
It has not been scientifically proven exactly how acupuncture works.
Scientific studies show that acupuncture has treated patients with migraines and asthma amongst other illnesses. The existence of the meridian has still not been confirmed. Nevertheless it was observed that skin resistance at the acupuncture points is 90-95%less than in its surrounding.
The analgesic effect of the stimulation therapy is likewise explicable: during acupuncture a distribution of pain messengers takes place. The signals of pain are no longer transferred to the cerebrum and if so only on a small scale. It is only in the brain that the signals are perceived as pain.
Using Acupuncture
The WHO (World Health Organisation) has defined a range of illnesses in which acupuncture can be meaningfully applied. Common fields of application of acupuncture in Germany include:
- Headaches and migraines
- Rheumatic pain
- Backache
- Neuralgia (nerve pain)
- Smokers wishing to quit
- Chronic respiratory problems (Bronchitis, Asthma)
- Allergies
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