What is Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a medical practice that entails stimulating certain points on the body, to alleviate pain or to treat various diseases.

A typical acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of hair-thin sterilized, disposable needles into specific points on the body to various depths. The needles are so thin that most people feel no pain when they are inserted. The area may have a slight tingling sensation or feel numb. This is a sign that the energy flow, or Qi, has been accessed.

Moxibustion, infrared heat stimulation or electrical stimulation may be used together with acupuncture to enhance the effect of healing.  Each treatment usually lasts for 20-30 minutes. Some people require several visits to complete the treatments. Others may need longer ongoing visits.

How Acupuncture works

    Acupuncture treatment works by regulating flow of energy in the body called Qi. Disruptions in the flow of Qi are thought to be responsible for all diseases. Acupuncture stimulates the acupoints, releasing the Qi. The Qi travels through channels called meridians.

    Acupuncture promotes blood flow. Restoring proper blood flow is vital to promoting and maintaining health.

    Acupuncture stimulates  the body’s built-in healing mechanisms by stimulating the body’s ability to spontaneously heal injuries to the tissue through nervous, immune and endocrine system activation.

    Acupuncture points are “transmitters” and “receivers” for electrical oscillations in the bio-electric environment. Information such as electro magnetic stimulation is turned into bio-electric signals to which the body reacts.

    Acupuncture causes the body to release endorphins which are natural painkillers, which is able to block the transmission of pain information at nerve cell level.

    Acupuncture also hinders the transmission of pain at the spinal cord level.

针灸

什么是针灸

针灸的治疗作用

针灸最基本的作用就是疏通经络，使瘀阻的经络通畅而发挥其正常的生理作用。经络不通，则气血运行受阻，临床表现为疼痛、麻木、肿胀、瘀斑等症状。

针灸可调和阴阳，使机体从阴阳失衡的状态向平衡状态转化。疾病发生的机理总体上可归纳为阴阳失调。

针灸能促进气血循环，通调营卫气血，气血通畅对保持健康非常重要。

针灸可以激发人体的自我修复机制。通过促进人体自我修复功能，可刺激神经系统、免疫系统和内分泌系统修复受伤组织。

针灸可刺激体内的电磁信号， 使人体释放一种天然镇定剂如内啡肽 （内分泌激素），可以阻碍疼痛信号在神经元，脊柱神经的传递，从而缓解疼痛。

Prescribed Herbal Medicine

Cupping
 
Cupping is a technique in which glass or bamboo cups are warmed from the inside to create a vacuum and placed on the affected part of the body. The cups are usually placed on the skin above the affected muscle area or above an acupuncture point at the inflicted area. In some cases, the cups may be moved with the suction of the skin still active.

The heated cups are left in place for 5 to 15 minutes, and when removed, they usually leave a round red mark behind. Bruising occurs in spots where there is stagnation of Qi and blood flow. The red mark is only temporary and will usually fade off after a few days.

Cupping is able to relieve much of the body’s discomfort  caused by the congestion of blood, energy or mucus, as well as swelling. The vacuum created by the heat is able to dispel dampness from the body, promote the flow of Qi and reduce swelling. Scientifically, this technique is known to promote blood circulation, aid deep tissue repair and activate the lymphatic system.


拔罐

拔罐是一种以玻璃或竹罐为工具, 借助热力排除其中空气，使之吸附于腧穴或局部肌肤，而产生刺激，使局部皮肤充血，以达到防治疾病目的的方法。在某些情况下，医师会沿着病人身上的经络移动游走玻璃或竹罐，这会拉扯到局部的皮肤和肌肉, 称为“走罐”

拔罐一般留罐 5－15 分钟，待施术部位的皮肤充血、瘀血时，将罐取下。拔罐之后，皮肤通常会潮红或出现瘀血，属于拔罐疗法的正常治疗效应，一般 3－5 天会自然消失。瘀血代表气血的运行受阻，经络不通。

拔罐产生的真空负压有一种较强的吸拔力量，可以吸开毛孔，吸出体内造成身体不适的瘀血、湿气、痰浊等物质，从而使经络气血畅通无阻，脏腑功能恢复正常，达到防治疾病的目的。从科学角度来说，拔罐可促进血液循环，刺激淋巴系统和深层主组织修复。