Acupunture

A long history

Archaeological discoveries in recent decades indicate that the practice of acupuncture began in China more than 2500 years ago. It spread to neighbouring Asian countries, but it was not until the 1970s that it gained popularity in North America.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a major component of traditional oriental medicine. It is interested in and addresses the so-called “energetic” aspect of the human being.  Indeed, Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to the evaluation and treatment of energy or “Qi” (pronounced: “chi”). This energetic organization is probably the electromagnetic dimension of the human body.

The classic acupuncture treatment consists of stimulating, by means of fine needles, certain specific areas on the body, called acupuncture points. All the sites thus stimulated during the same treatment constitute a prescription of points that the acupuncturist applies for the purposes of the treatment and that he modifies according to the evolution towards a better balance of the patient’s state of health.

In addition to the needle, the acupuncturist can use heat, pressure, a fine electric current or light ray (soft laser).

Overall understanding of the body and disease

Acupuncture is a therapeutic approach based on the establishment of an “energy diagnosis” or energy opinion. This assessment requires a clinical examination to assess the condition of the person who is consulting.

The authors agree that acupuncture is a true therapeutic method, a medicine in its own right, which focuses on the various health disorders of living beings.

Electromagnetic dimension of the body

“Energy” (or electricity) flows through a network of channels called “acupuncture meridians”. Each organ or system has at least one specific meridian. In addition, meridians carry energy throughout the body to supply the brain, organs, muscles, bones, nerves, glands and all other systems to allow the body and mind to function properly.

These meridians also connect the organs to each other, but also establish links between depth and surface.

This “internal-external” correspondence is of great importance, because it can not only facilitate the global understanding of a particular health problem, but above all, it allows treatment from the inside from the outside via these same meridians.

Example:

To treat constipation, the acupuncturist will use, among other things, the meridian of the Large Intestine (GI).

The superficial path of this GI meridian begins at the tip of the index finger, moves up the arm on its outer surface, passes through the tip of the shoulder, then through the top of the shoulder blade, then through the base of the neck, returns in front above the collarbone, climbs along the neck and ends very close to the nose, next to the opposite nostril.

It will therefore not be surprising to note sometimes, in a patient who already has a problem with the large intestine (constipation, inflammation or other), shoulder pain and/or chronic nasal congestion (either allergic or infectious resistant to antibiotics) and/or a skin disorder (e.g. eczema) located along the path of this meridian (GI).

A global acupuncture treatment can then treat both the internal organic problem (constipation), but also its more superficial manifestation (allergy, sinusitis, arm or shoulder pain, eczema, etc…).

In fact, the energy of the large intestine belongs to an even larger system called “Yang Ming”.

This Yang Ming system includes the digestive system (large intestine and stomach, but also, according to the work of Dr Maurice Mussat, serotonin (neurotransmitter playing a role in sleep and mood), thyroid, type A immunoglobins (IgA), etc…

Traditionally, according to the law of 5 movements (or 5 elements), the energy of the large intestine is linked to autumn and sadness emotion.

In short, like the electrical circuit of a house, the body is traversed by a complex electromagnetic network.

“For heating, lighting or appliances to work in the home, they must receive enough energy and connections must be good. Similarly, in the body, all organs and tissues also receive this energy, this vital force, to properly perform their functions.

Pain, or disease, results from an obstruction of circulation in one area of the body, resulting in insufficiency in another area. This could be compared to an irrigation system used in agriculture. If part of the system becomes blocked, not only will some plants not receive the water they need to survive, but the rest of the system may suffer from excess pressure, which would normally have been distributed throughout the field. Acupuncture treatment helps to loosen the obstruction and encourage the harmonious circulation of vitality in the body, bringing the individual back to his optimal level of balance and well-being. ” (from http://acupuncture-beloeil.com/lacupuncture/)

Acupuncture stimulates the proper functioning of muscles, nerves, blood vessels, glands and organs, positively affecting the functioning of the immune, nervous, hormonal, circulatory and digestive systems. It also has a positive effect on brain activity and blood pressure.

Acupuncture is usually performed in two ways:

Process the leaf and/or treat the root:

“Treat the leaf” (or treat the symptoms): i. e. emergency treatment, more superficial action, to quickly relieve a discomfort or acute condition such as: pain, colds, flu, headache, anxiety attack, nausea of pregnancy, sinusitis, etc…. Usually, there is rapid relief after one or a few treatments.

“Treat the root” (or treat the cause): i.e. the “in-depth” or “in-depth” treatment of a chronic health problem such as: the above-mentioned ailments if they tend to become chronic, but also, for example: fatigue, asthma, weakness of the immune system, allergies, menstrual disorders, infertility, chronic migraines, etc. This approach will have a more curative and preventive effect on the origin of the problem as well as on other possible associated problems. And this treatment of deep and global action on the body will normally have a lasting effect. Usually, it is done over a longer period of time and requires a greater number of sessions (often 12 or more). To this type of approach, it may be appropriate to add, once the problem is solved, intermittent preventive treatments (monthly or seasonal).

A recognized therapy

Acupuncture is an effective therapeutic approach for a wide range of diseases and ailments. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a list of conditions for which acupuncture is recognized as effective. Other organizations, such as the National Institute of Health and Mayo Clinic in the United States, also recognize the benefits of acupuncture for many diseases.

Acupuncture, a natural and integrative medicine

In short, acupuncture is a medical approach that is both curative and preventive.   It can be used either as an alternative to conventional medicine or as a complement, depending on the case.   Acupuncturists are recognized as front-line workers and have always treated general medical problems.

Frequently asked questions