Fundamentals

What is the basics of acupuncture? For the Chinese, disease does not exist but sick people do. When is a man sick? When the life force energy (Chi-Tsuey) that circulates through the 12 meridians that every person has, and is not flowing smoothly and harmoniously through the body, sickness, mental or emotional disturbance results. “When Chi gathers, so the physical body is formed, when the Chi disperses the body dies.” For instance when there are eye troubles; usually it is because the “energy” does not run well through the gall bladder’s meridian. One or more acupuncture needles can help re-establish the energy circulation. The eyes get cured. In truth, the Chinese Doctor does not cure the eye or any other organ or part of the body, but balances the energy system of every man.

Method of Diagnosis

This will also vary according to the practitioners’ training, but reputable acupuncturist will take the medical history, inspect the patient’s complexion, tongue and a pulse diagnosis will be made. The Chinese discovered wrist pulses, which relate to the twelve meridians and therefore to a main organ. It takes a great deal of experience to learn pulse diagnosis. An advantage of a pulse diagnosis is that by detecting imbalances at an early stage, the practitioner can restore the body’s energies before the symptoms occur.

Antagonisms and Counter-indications

For acupuncture, no counter-indications exist. It causes no side effects.

Diet

Inappropriate and imbalance dietary habits among the most insignificant causes of energetic disharmony. An understanding of food from the perspective of the theory of Chines medicine can be of tremendous benefit in working towards a healthier lifestyle. “Those who are ignorant about food can’t hope to survive.”

Acupuncture is suitable for general sickness and ailments.

Listed are some of the more common disorders frequently treated with Acupuncture.

Head

Neuralgia, headaches, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, spasms, cerebral arteriosclerosis, causing senility (during early stages) Alzheimer’s disease.

Limbs and Musculature

Fribrositlis, muscular rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago, cramps, intermittent claudication, cold hands and feet (Raynaud’s) oedema, writers cramp, trembling neuralgia or shoulders and arms, tennis elbow, heaviness of limbs, frozen shoulder, gout, stokes and other muscular paralysis.

Digestion

Duodenal and stomach ulcers, hyperacidity, gastritis, dyspepsia, indigestion, lack of appetite, excessive appetite, obesity, bulimia, eructations, wind, abdominal distention, “bad breath:, dry month, heartburn, pyloric spasm, nausea, vomiting, rectal prolapse, constipation, diarrhoea, various types of colic perianal pain or itch, hypo-function of the liver, tender liver, haemorrhoids, hepatitis, chronic cholecystitis, colitis, pancreatitis and nausea.

Respiratory System

Asthma, bronchitis, tracheitis, shortness of breath, pulmonary congestion, recurrent colds, coughs, tuberculosis and mild pulmonary infections.

Cardio-vascular System

Ischaemic heart disease, rhythm disorders, angina pectoris, pseudo angina pectoris, chest pain, fainting, palpitations, tachycardia, high or low blood pressure, arterial spasm, phelebitis, easily pregnancy haemorrhoids, lymphangitis, adenitis, pallor, poor circulation.

Sexual Disorders

Impotence, premature ejaculation, lack of sexual desire. Nymphomania, certain types of sterility and ome types of orgasmic dysfunctions, frigidity.

Eyes

Weak, eyesight, early cataract, retinitis, eyes tired after reading a book for a short time, pain behind or around the eye, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, disorders of eyes’ muscles.

Ears, Nose and Throat

Hay fever, rhinitis, nose bleeds, sneezing, diminished sense of smell (some types), sinusitis, catarrh, tonsillitis, laryngitis, loss of voice, pharyngitis, aphasia due to stroke, enlarged goitre, thyroid dysfunctions.

Gentio-Urinary System and Gynaecological Disorders

Pelvic pain, painful periods, irregular, flooding, vaginal pain, hot flushes, itching, menopausal disorders, ovarian pain, mastitis, pyelitis, cystitis, some types of renal colic, lumbago, bladder irritation and spasm, lack of bladder control, early prostatic troubles, bed wetting, painless childbirth, Caesarean section, forceps delivery. Acupuncture is very effective in relieving the pain of childbirth.

Nervous System and Psychiatric Disorders, Stress Related Disorders

Anxiety states, depression, nervousness, phobias, obsessions, timidity, neurasthenia, agitation, outbursts of temper, yawning, excessive loquacity, insomnia, nocturnal terror, many neuralgias, facial palsy, neuralgia after shingles, epilepsy, trembling, trigeminal neuralgias, schizophrenia, endogenous depression.

General State of “Dis-ease”

General fatigue, lassitude, excessive perspiration, excessive sleep, excessive yawning, sensitivity to change in temperature, travel sickness, post-operative weakness, listlessness after severe diseases, insomnia.

Weight Loss

Control of appetite in conjunction with diet.

Smoking, Alcoholism, Heroin and other Addictions

May help patients to stop smoking or drug taking with minimal withdrawal symptoms. About 75% of cases, addictions may be cured.