Exploring Acupuncture - Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

Acupuncture was developed thousands of years ago in the Far East and is a primary branch of Chinese medicine. The Chinese call acupuncture Zhue Jiao and it translates to mean, "needle heat". The needle regulates an inner force called Qi, which is responsible for the health of the body. Using acupuncture to control Qi renders a release from stress and helps to develop physical and mental health in other ways.Physical and mental health is developed by releasing stress with acupuncture. A healthy persons' Qi energy should flow unrestricted and any hindrance will be reflected in symptoms of an illness. Waste formulation is removed by the free flowing energy that delivers everything that the cells need. This improves physical as well as mental health. Indications of a physical or mental disease will become evident if Qi is blocked at any point.

The needles are placed in such a way as to return the flow of energy to normal. The number of treatments required will be determined by this analysis and will depend on any symptoms in evidence. Regular visits to an acupuncture clinic are seen as a way of maintaining optimum health in China. Patients in many places in China only pay their acupuncture practitioner if they maintain good health.

Electric stimulation, burning and herbs are also forms of acupuncture that are used. Unlike Western doctors, who use pre-sterilized, hollow tube needles, traditional acupuncture is carried out using solid needles. In most cases the needle acts exclusively on the Qi energy and no medication is used on the needles, which are inserted at a defined angle or manipulated for optimum results depending on the clients needs.

Undergoing regular treatments to maintain constant good health is normal for clients of acupuncture practitioners in China. Your emotional or physical health will determine the number of consultations required to restore your body to optimum welfare and at each subsequent stage of your treatment different locations will be used for needle insertion as your health improves. By selecting these changing positions the Qi energy is altered, eventually reaching its optimum level. The course of treatment required influences the depth of needle insertion varying between just below the skin surface or up to a depth of three inches. As the needles are inserted most patients experience no pain, but some clients comment on an occasional pinching sensation when the needles are first inserted. The needles can be easily forgotten after insertion and as the Qi energy is being directed properly a warm, relaxed sensation will be felt at the insertion point.

Acupuncture can help to rectify any number of physical or mental illnesses and is becoming increasingly popular in the western world as an alternative to conventional medicine and prescription drugs. The ancient practise of acupuncture is becoming better understood and encouraged by conventional western medicine.

John Philips is the author of Chinese Healing an informational website with various articles about Chinese Medicine. To read more articles from various sources on Chinese Medicine visit www.chinese-healing.info