Acupuncture at Worthing Osteopathic & Wellbeing Clinic
ACUPUNCTURE
SADIE GODDARD
NINA KIRBY
Lic Ac Bsc (Hons) MBAcC DipTN RGN
Charlotte Amy Burtenshaw
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient system of Chinese medicine which has evolved over thousands of years. It is based on the theory that the body is formed of an energetic system.
The energy or Qi running through our bodies forms specific pathways (meridians) along which lie acupuncture points. These points are stimulated by the acupuncturist in various ways in order to facilitate the flow of energy in accordance with the treatment principles. It is when the flow of Qi is disrupted in various ways, through external causes of disease such trauma or climate and/or internal causes of disease, such as emotional disturbance, that illness can arise. It is the acupuncturist’s role in partnership with the client to assist in the re-establishment of the smooth flow of Qi thereby stimulating the body’s own natural healing responses.
Chinese medicine is a holistic treatment, taking mind, body and spirit into consideration. Its gentle and effective approach aims to achieve harmony within the body, to improve health and increase general wellbeing.e to a build-up in toxins in the fluid around the brain and the spinal cord. Some of the poisons caused by infection or inflammation in the head or spine flow through perforations in a bony plate (cribriform plate) just above the nasal sinuses into the lymph ducts of the face and neck. The toxins are also meant to drain down the spinal cord and out into the lymph ducts lying along the spine. In a CFS / ME sufferer, these normal drainage points are congested.
Traditional Five Element acupuncture
Five Element theory is one of the major systems of thought within traditional Chinese medicine.
Also referred to as the “five phase” theory by some practitioners, Five Element theory has been used for more than 2,000 years as a method of diagnosis and treatment. While it is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, today Five Element theory is not used by every acupuncturist and doctor of oriental medicine; rather, it is employed to a certain degree, depending on the practitioner’s training and education, and the style of acupuncture that he or she practises.
People consult acupuncturists for a number of reasons, but some of the more common conditions are:
- Menopausal symptoms (hot flushes)
- Skin complaints (psoriasis)
- Tiredness/fatigue
- Musculoskeletal problems (including back pain)
- Pain management
- Stress and anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- Bowel and digestive problems
- Gynaecological complaints
The sympathetic nervous system spreads throughout the entire body affecting every type of tissue, but more importantly receiving messages from all the tissues e.g. skin, muscle, blood vessels, lymph glands and lymphatic vessels.
The latter form an important network of small channels carrying lymph, which is a transparent bodily fluid collected from all tissues and eventually return to the blood. The lymphatic system is basically a secondary waste disposal unit within the body which flushes out the waste products of the cells and foreign bodies that are toxic to us.
The fluid motility in the lymphatic system is helped by pressure from the blood flow in the surrounding blood vessels, and so the lymphatic tissue will be engorged with fluid if the blood circulation is not working properly.
The sympathetic nerves also have been found to control a pump mechanism with the main drainage of the lymphatic system which becomes disturbed in CFS / ME.
The resultant backflow further engorges the lymphatic vessels, especially in the chest and neck.