Have you heard about acupuncture, or have you already had experience with it but would like to know more?
It is undoubtedly an uptrend modality, especially over the last decade, as even celebrities promote it, and insurance plans have broader coverage with more acupuncture clinics opening up in the neighbourhood. It is now uncommon to hear your family physician suggesting you see an acupuncturist with stubborn hip pain or tinnitus.
So, what is acupuncture? It is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which encompasses herbal formulas, massage techniques, exercise routines such as Qigong and Tai Chi, and various other applications, including moxibustion, gua sha, and fire cupping. TCM is an ancient healthcare system with roots dating back to the earliest civilizations. However, the first-ever treatment with needles was discovered to have been conducted in ancient Egypt, which aimed to be a contraceptive with insertions in the ear. Acupuncture is widely practiced in Eastern Asia, with each country developing multiple disciplines in all aspects of what I would rather refer to as Eastern or Oriental medicine. Those complex systems of diverse medical applications helped humanity survive for at least 5000 generations when little was known about viruses and bacteria. Yet the medical practitioners had to have been trained even back then, and continuous research was conducted and documented. The genius of the Chinese kept those archives in good condition over the centuries despite all the wars and disasters.
Insertion of needles of various lengths and diameters activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is part of the central nervous system. Inserting needles next to the nerve beds sends signals to the brain, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxing the entire body to facilitate digestion and maintenance. Recent studies have shown that the body communicates through the fascia, a white, fibrous tissue that wraps around muscles and internal organs. The other pathways of bodily communication include the nervous system, which operates on electric impulses, and the blood network, through which hormones and various chemicals are conveyed. Acupuncture is now undergoing a new evaluation after the recognition of fascial lines. The needles help connect the internal organs and different body parts when used along related fascial lines.
In the modern acupuncture world, more than 40 different styles are being utilized by practitioners worldwide. Taiwanese Master Tung, Korean hand acupuncture, auricular (ear) acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, Japanese esoteric acupuncture, orthopedic acupuncture, and classical TCM acupuncture are the most commonly practiced forms. With the help of technology and growing interaction between Eastern and Western medicines, acupuncture has advanced rapidly and diversified, becoming integrated into public healthcare systems outside of its conventional zone, such as in France. The World Health Organization has acknowledged and announced that acupuncture is effective in treating various disorders, supported by scientific research. Please click the link below for the list of conditions treatable with acupuncture, as per the World Health Organization (WHO).
Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine view the body as a whole and treat it accordingly. The holistic approach and pattern diagnosis, unfortunately, have been largely overlooked by Western medicine, which tends to focus solely on treating symptoms. Since the root cause is not investigated, the conditions often develop into chronic cases over time, making treatment more costly and the condition potentially irreversible.
As a holistic practitioner, I focus not only on the individual health of my patients but also on the collective wellness of our entire community. We can only expect to be healthier and more resilient if our communities stay strong. Eastern Medicine has a profound understanding of the human body. Mental and emotional bodies that have been road-tested over time. Traditional holistic medicine also fosters a strong bond between individuals and a sustainable society.