What can acupuncture treat?
According to World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture has been shown to treat a wide range of symptoms. These are just a few of the Western terms that have been reported.
*This is not an absolute list of what Acupuncture can treat. Chinese Medicine is a complete system where we treat based on a diagnosis by looking at signs, symptoms, tongue, and pulse. We look at patterns. Two patients may have the same "disease" yet treatment will be different because not everyone manifests the symptoms the same.
Emotional and Psychological Disorders:
Anxiety, Insomnia, Depression, Stress, PTSD, Autism, ADHD
Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders:
Arthritis, Neuralgia, Sciatica, Back Pain, Bursitis Tendonitis, Stiff Neck, Bell's Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Headaches and Migraines, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Polio, Sprains, Muscle Spasms, Shingles
Respiratory Disorders:
Asthma, Emphysema, Bronchitis, Colds and Flus
Immune Disorders:
Candida, Chronic Fatigue, HIV and AIDS, Epstein Barr Virus, Allergies, Lupus, MS, Hepatitis
Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Disorders:
Sinusitis, Sore Throat, Hay Fever, Earache, Nerve Deafness, Ringing in the Ears, Dizziness,
Poor Eyesight
Addiction:
Smoking Cessation, Drug and Alcohol withdrawal
Circulatory Disorders:
High Blood Pressure, Angina Pectoris, Arteriosclerosis, Anemia
Gynecological / Genitourinary Disorders:
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Menstruation, Endometriosis, Menopause, Fibroids, Chronic Bladder Infection, Complications in Pregnancy, Morning Sickness, Kidney Stones, Impotence, Infertility in Men and Women,
Gastrointestinal Disorders:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Spastic colon, Colitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, Food Allergies, Ulcers, Gastritis, Abdominal Bloating, Hemorrhoids
Acupuncture can also help with:
Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects, Diabetes, Dermatological Disorders, Weight Control
Acupuncture and the five elements
Wood Fire Earth Metal Water
Acupuncture is a practice that has been dated to be more than 3000 years old in China. It is a system of medicine that relies on the health of our Qi, or vital energy. Each of us have a system of channels, also known as meridians, that flow inside of us. Just like your veins and arteries carry blood, the meridians carry Qi. When Qi is flowing smoothly, we experience a sense of well being. If Qi is deficient or in excess, blockages occur and illnesses and pain can arise in body, mind, and/or spirit.
Each meridian has a number of acupoints. Research has shown that acupuncture can have an effect on the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, cardiovascular system, and immune system. These acupoints are then selected by your acupuncturists to stimulate various systems to correct the imbalances.
Chinese medicine views the body as a whole. Everything is inter-related and connected, hence why we do not separate symptoms. When the body, mind, and spirit work together, there is balance and a sense of well being. However, when one or more of those aspects are out of balance, there is illness and this creates a domino effect, a cycle of chaos.
The five elements
Five Element Acupuncture tradition has been documented in the Chinese medical classics. It is based on the observation of nature and the flow of "Qi", or vital energy. The Ancient Chinese recognized that Qi moved in cycles/phases in accordance with the laws of nature. This can best be seen with the changes in the 5 seasons. These phases are known as the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.
Each element describes the characteristics of Qi as it flows through nature. For example, when Qi is healthy, the roots of a tree are able to withhold a heavy rainfall, however, when there is illness, it may wilt. The same is observed in humans- when Qi is strong and flowing in the right direction, there is health.
These same characteristics found in nature can be seen in us as well. In Five Element Acupuncture, the body, mind, and spirit is treated on a deeper level through a subtle re-balancing of the elements. Diagnosis and treatment is determined through an understanding that each person has a core element imbalance. This imbalance impacts us physically, mentally, and spiritually. This core element, however, is also where our strengths live.
To learn more about the Elements, follow the link for a short video. Five Element Acupuncture.