HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?

The skin and muscles are connected to each other and to the internal organs by channels or meridians. The subtle energy that flows through these channels is called "qi". Pain is attributed to blockages in the channels that stop the free flow of "qi". The use of the acupuncture needle, heat in the form of moxa, and the use of "cups", helps clear these blockages and lets "qi" flow freely again. Over time if "qi" is blocked and unable to flow freely, the resulting disharmony in the body can lead to disease. It is naturally better to regain the integrity of the "qi" flow before the situation deteriorates further. As with everything in life it is easier to correct problems at the beginning! Although no-one is able to explain precisely how acupuncture works, research has shown that following an acupuncture treatment various physiological shifts occur. These shifts include an increase in the production of the body's own natural painkillers and anti-inflammatory agents, and improvements in hormonal activity and immune system functions. Changes that have occurred in the energy emissions from channels following a treatment have been photographed by kirlian photography.

WHAT CAUSES BLOCKAGES IN THE CHANNELS?

There are three major groupings of causes of "qi" blockages — internal causes, external causes, and miscellaneous causes. Internal causes are illnesses caused by emotions. These include anger, sadness, worry, fear, joy, grief, pensiveness and shock and are usually termed as the seven emotions. While these emotions are normal and healthy responses to the many situations we encounter in daily life, they can cause disease when they are intense or prolonged, or are repressed over a long period of time. External causes are causes of disharmony that relate to climatic conditions. There are six of these conditions, usually known as the six pathogenic factors or the six external evils. They are: wind, cold, damp, fire and heat, dryness and summer heat. Different climatic conditions are appropriate during each season and we usually adapt to them as they come and go. However, extremes of weather or unseasonal weather such as a cold spell in summer make us more vulnerable to the effects of that climatic condition and thus more likely to become ill. Also, people whose underlying energy is weak are more vulnerable to the effects of climatic conditions than those who have a strong constitution. Miscellaneous causes include work, exercise, diet, sexual activity and physical trauma. These factors can have a profound influence on our bodies. Generally speaking any activity when practiced to excess can cause disharmony in the body. Physical trauma ranges from sporting injuries and the after effects of car crashes to the normal knocks and bumps of everyday life.