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What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture involves the insertion
of disposable needles into accurate, specific acu-points along the
energy pathways of the body. to systematically balance and harmonize
the flow and functions of the intrinsic energies of the body which
the Chinese call, Qi.
Different styles of acupuncture. It is important that the
public is aware of the differences that exist between the distinct
styles of acupuncture at present used in this country, so that they
can make an enlightened choice of practitioners or training courses.
The problem arises that the public assumes acupuncture is acupuncture
from who ever you receive it or wherever you train. This is misleading.
Unfortunately, the terms 'acupuncture' or 'traditional acupuncture'
are used indiscriminately. Most acupuncture performed in the U.K.
is likely to be described as traditional but this gives no clear
description of the exact type of acupuncture being offered.
This causes a problem as it is very confusing for the public who
without a detailed knowledge of traditional Chinese medical theories
will regard "traditional" as relating solely to the kind
of acupuncture practised in China. A minute proportion of the British
population know that there are different styles of acupuncture.
'Traditional' could mean the type of acupuncture performed in present
day China. This is very powerful and more invasive with deeper
needling than the much more gentle and shallow acupuncture commonly
used by practitioners trained in Britain.
We believe it would be more suitable to have separate designations
to describe these differences.
Acupuncture Chinese approach
Acupuncture Western approach
There is also another style that is based exclusively on Five Element
theory which uses acupoints mainly located on the extremities and
where needle insertion is often very brief. This is a different
style to the two described above and some members of the public
may not wish to experience the less comfortable, stronger acupuncture
of traditional Chinese medicine. This could be described as:
Acupuncture Five Element approach
.
The public should be made aware that doctors, nurses, physiotherapists,
osteopaths, chiropractors, etc do a very short acupuncture training,
mostly just 2- 5 days. They mainly do acupuncture for pain relief
relating to musculo-skeletal problems. They come under a group called
British Medical Acupuncture.
At the BODYHARMONICS centre, we teach - Acupuncture Chinese
Approach.
Many patients are paranoid about acupuncture needles however, and
being able to offer Tui Na in addition to acupuncture gives you
another set of options.
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Acupuncture
enables you to treat conditions that Tui Na alone would treat more
slowly:
