Principles of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an element that is practised within the Traditional Chinese Medicine health system. It can be used to treat illnesses ranging from drug addiction to asthma and hay fever. It uses the insertion of very fine needles to either help stimulate or regulate the flow of qi in the body’s system. Qi is an invisible “life energy” that flows through the meridians around the body. It is affected by the interaction of yin (which signifies coldness, damp, darkness, and contraction) and yang (which signifies heat, dryness, light and expansion).

There are twelve regular meridians in which the qi flows through. They run down the body with six located on the right and six located on the left. Also, six of them are yin channels and six of them are yang channels which creates a harmonious balance. Most of these meridians are named after the main internal organs through which they link. Two further meridians known as the Conception and the Governing vessels provide control of the 12 regular meridians.

Acupuncture needles are used to either regulate or stimulate the flow of qi to help adjust the flow of qi that reaches the different meridians. The disorder of any meridian can create illness at any point. For example, a disorder in the stomach meridian (which passes through the upper gums) could result in a toothache. Acupuncture has been proven very effective and is now one of the most well-known natural therapies. Acupuncture is also become increasingly practised in a simplified form by Western doctors.