|
|
|
Traditional Chinese Martial Arts
 |
|
|
Acupuncture
| Acupuncture
is a system of health care whose roots can be
traced back at least 5000 years. Acupuncture
works by analyzing and addressing the strength
and presence of a component of the bodies’
energy called "chi." Chi is the
energy which creates and sustains all life. It
is that same energy which will separate from
your body when life ends.
The concept of chi in Eastern medicine is prevalent throughout the analysis and treatment of illness. The two main components of chi are the divisions of yin and yang. These are the two opposite components of chi. The yang component of chi is the more aggressive aspect of the energy. It is likened to heaven or fire or light. The yin component is the more passive aspect of the energy. It is likened to earth or water or darkness. However, neither exist in a vacuum. There cannot be pure yin or pure yang. Each contains components of the other and each complements the other. In Eastern Medicine, health is promoted when yin and yang are in balance.
Just as rivers or streams can become sluggish or blocked, meridians can suffer the same fate. Picture a tree which has fallen across a stream. The water flowing through that stream will have to back up behind or divert around this tree in order to continue its path. When this pooling of chi occurs in the meridians, imbalance or disease is the result. Removing the blockage will encourage proper flow to return. The flow of chi is also regulated by the five elements. The five elements are fire, earth, metal, water and wood. They represent the basic building blocks of life and the relationship of man and nature. They are present in each of us and exert control over one another in various ways. When the natural balance between the elements is disturbed, the chi flow becomes abhorrent and disease occurs. In addition to the complementary organ pairs, the elements also control various tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.), secretions (mucous, urine, etc.) and emotions (anger, grief, etc.) to name a few. It becomes obvious that many components of health are affected when the balance between the elements or the flow of chi through the meridians is disrupted. At Asian Institute of Healing Arts, we draw from the strength of a variety of acupuncture traditions for the analysis and treatment of the human condition. In classic Chinese and Japanese acupuncture, careful attention is payed to various reflex points (where energy of the organs and elements pool) to access the balance and interplay of the five elements. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) determines this same balance by observation of the tongue and analysis of the pulse. The pulse is assigned various characteristics which are descriptive of types of imbalance in the elements. TCM further refines the disruption of chi by evaluating environmental factors which effect the balance of yin and yang. These factors such as wind, cold or dampness are not ones which would be recognized by Western Medicine, but have been described in ancient Eastern texts and are derived from centuries of careful observation. The emotions and their effect on disease are assessed through techniques of a discipline called Five Elements acupuncture. The meridians and musculature evaluated through points on the meridians or trigger points in the muscles. The health or body assessment is reinforced by a careful and detailed case history. Often the origins of disease can be uncovered by in-depth questioning about events or illnesses in the past which may seem unrelated, but in fact, can conspire to deplete the life force within the body. After assessing the patient, fine, sterile, one-use needles are placed in points classically defined over centuries of clinical observation. Often the points selected are far removed from the symptomatic area. The insertion of the needles is mostly painless. These needles regulate the flow of chi and do not add anything into or remove anything from the body. The patient retains the needles for 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, a variety of sensations is often reported. The feeling is described as a heaviness or warmth, very relaxing, or a dramatic reduction of stress and mental clutter. The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as effective in these conditions:
With a 5000 year history there are strategies effective for these conditions and almost everything else which effects the human condition. Let’s see what works for you... |
