Jennifer Gawne

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of diagnosis and health care that has evolved over the last 3000 years. The Chinese approach to understanding the human body is unique. It is based on the holistic concept of the universe outlined in the spiritual insights of Daoism, and it has produced a highly sophisticated set of practices designed to cure illness and to maintain health and well being.

The theory behind acupuncture is at once complex and rich in detail, yet really quite easy to grasp. The following will outline the basics of acupuncture theory and provide a springboard for further investigation into the depths of Chinese medical theory.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese system of medicine which involves the practice of inserting fine needles into the skin. To research the beginnings of the art and practice of acupuncture we must pierce the folds of time and cast our minds back to ancient China.

So, what is a meridian anyway? This is one of the first questions students of Chinese medicine want to understand. Simply put, a meridian is an ‘energy highway’ in the human body. Qi (chee) energy flows through this meridian or energy highway, accessing all party of the body. Meridians can be mapped throughout the body; they flow within the body and not on the surface, meridians exist in corresponding pairs and each meridian has many acupuncture points along its path.

Chinese Medicine is a powerful art. Not only can Chinese medicinal herbs and acupuncture help you with many physical ailments such as arthritis, backache or insomnia, it is also highly effective in helping to solve personal issues such as the disintegration of a relationship. …Seriously. At this point people usually laugh a little and then ask, “How is this possible?”

Choosing which school to attend for your acupuncture training is a big decision. Here are the Top Ten questions to consider when choosing an acupuncture school:

Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things you will ever do. Luckily, there are many tools to assist you in your goal of quitting smoking. Acupuncture is one of the most helpful tools and is very effective in helping break the addiction cycle.

Can acupuncture help arthritis? This is one of the most frequently asked questions in our acupuncture clinics and the answer is, yes! Acupuncture, which is the insertion of fine needles into various points on the body, helps alleviate the pain associated with arthritis by facilitating the flow of blood to the area, moving stuck ‘qi’ or energy, reducing inflammation and evoking the bodies natural healing response.

The history of China is rich and complex; the history of Chinese medicine and acupuncture no less so. There is evidence dating back to the Shang Dynasty (c.1000 BC) of a relatively sophisticated approach to medical problems. Archeological digs have unearthed early types of acupuncture needles, and observations on medical conditions have been found inscribed on bones dating back to this time.

Chinese medicine uses many modalities of healing; acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and diet therapy make up the most commonly used and Chinese medicine cupping is gaining in popularity. Maybe some of you saw the photo a few years ago of Gwyneth Paltrow on the red carpet with a backless dress and cupping marks all up her spine? Sometimes it takes a little popular culture to remind us of ancient ways of healing!