A few words about Acupuncture...
A few words about Acupuncture...
For more detailed information, please consult websites from Acupuncture Organisations,
www.acupuncturecouncilofireland.com (Acupuncture Council of Ireland)
www.afpi.ie (Acupuncture Foundation Professional Association).
Acupuncture is one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a complex system of examination, diagnosis and treatment. Herbal remedies, massage and exercise form the other parts.
For thousands of years, Chinese have observed life processes and relationships between man and his environment. From this observation, many subtle body patterns were studied, described and organised, in health and in disease. The interplay between a living organism’s vital strength with one or more pathogens was then articulated with words we could call heritage words, a vocabulary which might not seem appropriate today ...You might have come across terms like Wind or Dampness in this context, and felt some doubt regarding the seriousness of the whole thing. Those ancient heritage words described natural phenomenon, in health and in disease, the effects of pathogens on a living organism, and they still do!
From careful observations of signs and symptoms, and some questioning, patterns of disharmony affecting particular Organ Networks can be identified. An Organ Network refers to more than to a physical organ; it refers to some aspect of physiology as well. Patterns of disharmony will form a diagnosis, but not necessarily assign a particular disease name onto it, the same pattern manifesting in different ways with different individuals. In the other hand, one particular disease might be caused by patterns of disharmony of different origins. For example a headache could be caused by an excess (such as hyperactivity of an organ system, stagnation, inflammation, etc...) or by a weakness (such as hypo activity of an organ system, etc...), or a combination of both... principles of treatment to correct the particular case imbalance will determine the relevant acupuncture points combinations that address the problem.
This is really the essential basis for Chinese Traditional Medicine: it treats the individual according to observable signs and symptoms, differentiating between possible patterns of disharmony.
Nowadays, new technologies have been grafted to traditional acupuncture, for example Electro Acupuncture can be used for neurological problems, or simply for stop muscle spasms. Sometimes, for simple muscular spasm, massage can be a more pleasant alternative....
What to expect during a visit to the clinic?
I am interesting in Traditional Acupuncture and I like to take time to elucidate each case.
The initial case taking might take some time, depending on the presenting complaint, perhaps as long as an hour, but usually 10 to 15 minutes will be enough. It might include observation of posture, of joint movement and of soft tissues if it is relevant, might include questions regarding life style and personal circumstances when the patient feels this is important.
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I ll take note of all previous investigations on the case made by the patient s doctor and consultants, and will advise the patient to require those if there is concern on the severity of the problem.
Observation of the tongue and pulse form an important part of the examination.
Sometimes, a case will be helped by cupping. This can be part of the treatment if the patient wishes to try it.
For some conditions, I use Moxa, which gently heats a needle or an area.
Is it safe?
Needles are individually packed and sterilised. They are used only once and disposed off in a sharp bin. The area on the skin is swapped with surgical spirit prior to needling. Cups used for cupping are made of glass.
Does it hurt?
Needles are very thin. One might expect a tingle, numbness or mint sensation. Having said that some points are said to be more “dynamic”, causing a definite stronger sensation. Nervous patients should not hesitate to voice their concern, and will be handled gently!
A typical prescription will use perhaps, 12, 14 needles, but if a patient prefers less, that s perfectly acceptable. A patient new to acupuncture might just like to try one, well, I can understand that.
Needles are usually retained for approx 20 minutes.
How long will the course of the treatment last?
There again, every case is different. An acute condition can be resolved in one treatment even though if there is an underlying cause this should be addressed too. A chronic problem lasting months or years will usually take longer to treat, but treatments can be spaced at longer intervals.
For more detailed information, please consult websites from Acupuncture Organisations,
www.acupuncturecouncilofireland.com (Acupuncture Council of Ireland)
www.afpi.ie (Acupuncture Foundation Professional Association).
Acupuncture is one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a complex system of examination, diagnosis and treatment. Herbal remedies, massage and exercise form the other parts.
For thousands of years, Chinese have observed life processes and relationships between man and his environment. From this observation, many subtle body patterns were studied, described and organised, in health and in disease. The interplay between a living organism’s vital strength with one or more pathogens was then articulated with words we could call heritage words, a vocabulary which might not seem appropriate today ...You might have come across terms like Wind or Dampness in this context, and felt some doubt regarding the seriousness of the whole thing. Those ancient heritage words described natural phenomenon, in health and in disease, the effects of pathogens on a living organism, and they still do!
From careful observations of signs and symptoms, and some questioning, patterns of disharmony affecting particular Organ Networks can be identified. An Organ Network refers to more than to a physical organ; it refers to some aspect of physiology as well. Patterns of disharmony will form a diagnosis, but not necessarily assign a particular disease name onto it, the same pattern manifesting in different ways with different individuals. In the other hand, one particular disease might be caused by patterns of disharmony of different origins. For example a headache could be caused by an excess (such as hyperactivity of an organ system, stagnation, inflammation, etc...) or by a weakness (such as hypo activity of an organ system, etc...), or a combination of both... principles of treatment to correct the particular case imbalance will determine the relevant acupuncture points combinations that address the problem.
This is really the essential basis for Chinese Traditional Medicine: it treats the individual according to observable signs and symptoms, differentiating between possible patterns of disharmony.
Nowadays, new technologies have been grafted to traditional acupuncture, for example Electro Acupuncture can be used for neurological problems, or simply for stop muscle spasms. Sometimes, for simple muscular spasm, massage can be a more pleasant alternative....
What to expect during a visit to the clinic?
I am interesting in Traditional Acupuncture and I like to take time to elucidate each case.
The initial case taking might take some time, depending on the presenting complaint, perhaps as long as an hour, but usually 10 to 15 minutes will be enough. It might include observation of posture, of joint movement and of soft tissues if it is relevant, might include questions regarding life style and personal circumstances when the patient feels this is important.
.
I ll take note of all previous investigations on the case made by the patient s doctor and consultants, and will advise the patient to require those if there is concern on the severity of the problem.
Observation of the tongue and pulse form an important part of the examination.
Sometimes, a case will be helped by cupping. This can be part of the treatment if the patient wishes to try it.
For some conditions, I use Moxa, which gently heats a needle or an area.
Is it safe?
Needles are individually packed and sterilised. They are used only once and disposed off in a sharp bin. The area on the skin is swapped with surgical spirit prior to needling. Cups used for cupping are made of glass.
Does it hurt?
Needles are very thin. One might expect a tingle, numbness or mint sensation. Having said that some points are said to be more “dynamic”, causing a definite stronger sensation. Nervous patients should not hesitate to voice their concern, and will be handled gently!
A typical prescription will use perhaps, 12, 14 needles, but if a patient prefers less, that s perfectly acceptable. A patient new to acupuncture might just like to try one, well, I can understand that.
Needles are usually retained for approx 20 minutes.
How long will the course of the treatment last?
There again, every case is different. An acute condition can be resolved in one treatment even though if there is an underlying cause this should be addressed too. A chronic problem lasting months or years will usually take longer to treat, but treatments can be spaced at longer intervals.