Introduction to Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

by Stella Rodgers DCHAc CMIR HPD MNCH 

Simply put it is the ancient art of re-aligning the body to help it repair itself - using points on the body where energies meet - with needles or without using the traditional stimulating methods of 'Tui-Na' and or electro-acupuncture for acute problems.

It can be used to treat muscular pains in local areas - too much gardening for example - or sports injuries like a badly sprained knee or elbow, or internal organ problems.

The herbal medicine may be obtained in capsule form. This is the easiest and simplest most pleasant way of taking the herbs - because they tend to be a bit bitter - or they can be bought over the counter with a prescription from a person qualified in this specialist subject.

According to a survey in the Times newspaper recently:

·         Over ninety percent of British doctors would recommend acupuncture to their patients as a complementary [not alternative] form of treatment.

·          More than a thousand doctors practice a form of acupuncture in the UK.

·          Elsewhere in Europe, doctors who practice acupuncture are in even greater numbers that in the UK, with France numbering more than 5000 and Germany numbering over 4000.

·          Acupuncture is becoming a modern medicine science, with the advances of electro-acupuncture, laser acupuncture and TENS Pain Management. 

Acupuncture is also fast becoming accepted as a mainstream form of treatment.  

Healing and Medicine ~ Eastern and Western Approaches

Eastern and western medicine have come together a bit more in recent years, the west is beginning to understand what the ancients have always known - that the body, emotions, mind, and spirit are all inseparable, in fact … the holistic approach is going to be fashionable!

Hooray!

Please excuse me if I sound frivolous, but it’s my experience that nobody can separate the physical from the emotional, so to me it seems obvious, I have tried it and it doesn't work!

Of course I haven't always known this, I had to experience it for myself.

When going through a divorce I kept telling myself that I was all right, so I didn’t have a ‘mental breakdown’ no, I had a physical one…yes this is possible. I had such sorrow that I lost two stones in a very short time.

If we ignore the needs of one part of ourselves another will protest, simple.

Physical abuse if ignored by the victim often results in a mental breakdown; my experience was in another way. In other words I kept my head but my body gave out. It was not ‘till I had only a few weeks to live that I listened to the specialist, this is how powerful the mind can be when we are determined to ignore all else.

If we look at the organs of the body as houses for different emotions a picture emerges. In Chinese medicine this is how it is viewed.

Family relationships are also used to illustrate the organs and positions on the Chinese medicine charts; I’ve added the partner organs to the list below to illustrate this.

Liver = Anger - “What a gall that person has!” - ‘Partner’ Gall Bladder

Heart = Hysteria - Dad worked himself up into a heart attack - ‘Partner' Small Intestines - a heart attack can be mistaken for indigestion.

Spleen = Worry - Ulcers commonly caused by over work - ‘Partner’ Stomach

Lungs = Sorrow - Pining away for a loved one is very common - ‘Partner’ Large Intestines, malfunction results in starvation when the organs cannot absorb the nutrients.

Kidneys = Fear - Children’s nightmares - peeing with fright - ‘Partner’ Bladder

So, what do you think? Is it possible to die of a ‘broken heart’?

Of course it is!

I was within a short time of doing just that, my body was telling me to change the situation so it could heal itself.

The worry, fear, and sorrow all stopped the digestion and so the tissues started to die.

What is the cure?

Look to our whole situation when you become physically unwell.

Look to our emotions when you feel lacking in energy. Are you draining the batteries?

Look to our mental attitude when you have allowed the whole world to revolve around your own needs first.

Look to our spiritual growth when you feel stuck in a rut. See what you have learned - Needing to progress?

God bless our ‘built in’ programme of rehabilitation!

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There must be some primal force, But it is difficult to describe or locate.
I believe it exists, but I cannot see it. I do see its results, I can even feel it, but it has no form.

From the writings of Zhuang Zi (also spelled Chuang Tzu) 4th century BCE 

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The History.

Acupuncture is a non-pharmaceutical treatment with simple application, has a wide range of use, good curative effect, and low cost.

The cultural exchange between China and other countries has promoted a global interest in this subject; one could even say the interest in this oldest holistic medical method has come full circle after so many thousand years, ancient to modern.  

Acupuncture is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is recorded as at least four thousand years old. Over the past 2500 years medical scholars in each age have contributed to the development and refinement of this wonderful art in China, and it is respected throughout the world as an ancient art that has evolved through time into a unique system.

1000 yrs BC is the oldest record of acupuncture on bone etchings. The period of establishment in ancient China is - 21st-3rd century BC; Xia, Sheng, Zhou dynasties in the autumn & spring periods.  In the ancient literature there are records regarding the use of stone needles (long before iron casting.) The discovery of stone needles and medical tools as funerary objects in Stone Age burial mounds brings right up to date the legends regarding acupuncture from the ‘clan commune period’ of primitive society - the period before the written word - which lasted up until about 4,000 years BC.

The Han prince's tomb, Liu Sheng, (113 BC) contained gold acupuncture needles.  One such legend, that of a doctor 'Bian Que', tells of the physician portrayed mythically as half-man, half-bird, who came upon a supposedly dead prince. Bian Que noted flaring of his ala nasi [a diagnostic indicator] and treated the prince by administering herbs and needling the well established point for ‘wind invasion’ which is Governor Meridian no: 20. Wind Invasion is a term used to describe amongst other diseases, bronchial & respiratory tract infections.

According to the legend the prince made a miraculous recovery. Although I have not seen this particularly mentioned miracle myself ... but I have frequently witnessed the common cold stopped ‘dead’ in its tracks (excuse the pun) using this point of GV 20 with others myself, before it could turn into a more problematic condition, as you can imagine I am very popular at such times in my family! 

The Dutch philosopher Benedict Spinoza (1632-1677) gives a description of pain thus; "A localised form of sorrow." The accidentally pulled ligament or broken bone causes more modern expletives these days, but fortunately can still receive this treatment from a gentler time! 

Modern medicine is beginning to understand what the ancients knew without having the jargon to describe it – that endorphins released by the stimulation of acupuncture needles can reduce pain, and in extremes this knowledge is also used in modern hospitals to anesthetize areas for surgical use. 

Many years ago I had a young friend who told me of her leg being amputated after an accident using this method, together with hypnosis, because of her inability to tolerate the chemicals otherwise needed. I was not incredulous at that time because I had already read at that time an article by a vet from the then Manchester Zoo who went to China in the 1960’s and witnessed operations on animals in this way. 

Acupuncture went into a decline during a political period of Chinese isolation, but the revival of TCM in 1949 brought about by Mao Tse-tung after the War of Liberation, meant that the much valued knowledge, once passed abroad, was returned to its homeland by its faithful adherents.

The University of Beijing, which is now very much in the forefront of international training, proudly exhibits its name on TCM Diplomas. 

Question: Does it work?

Answer: 'Yes it does'.

I speak personally as a patient long before becoming a practitioner, indeed I am such an advocate and love to study the subject and its history because I felt and saw the amazing results for family members and myself.

Here I am writing about some of the basics of this ancient healing method and other related therapies - and it is my fondest hope it will give a new understanding and confidence through knowledge.

What will happen on my first visit?

Your first consultation may be longer than subsequent sessions. The acupuncturist needs to assess your general state of health in order to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and give you the most effective treatment. You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far. You will also be asked about your medical history and that of your close family.

In China ten minutes is all a patient can expect each day; in western countries it is more usual to have thirty minutes to an hour each week.

The practitioner will also ask you about your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and your general emotional state. Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the acupuncturist can select the appropriate treatment.

The aim is to discover which energy channels need adjusting for your specific complaint to improve, and which require treatment to boost your overall energy and vitality.

Can I prepare in any way for treatment?

Try not to have a big meal within an hour of your appointment, as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse. Also avoid alcohol and food and drinks, [which alter the colour of your tongue just before you have your treatment.] Arriving for treatment after work must not mean you have not eaten for a long period.

How long will I need treatment?

Chronic cases can take many years to develop, and it is therefore likely that they will also take quite sometime to respond to treatment and start improving. It is important to allow the treatment time to take effect rather than to expect an instant "miracle cure". The total number of treatments will vary from patient to patient, and your practitioner will discuss your own specific case with you. The longer a problem has had to 'solidify' in a physical system the longer it may take to overcome it.

Should I continue taking medicine prescribed by my GP?

Most certainly the answer to that question is YES. It is a complementary therapy not an alternative one. Your doctor should always be consulted if you are in any way uncertain. Chinese medicine in general does not conflict with Western medicine. However, please inform both your doctors about any current medications you are taking. I understand that there is a strong movement to include acupuncture in the public health system in the near future. 

The main points of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine - TCM - is based on the theory that all disorders and illnesses arise from an imbalance. We’ve all heard of Yin and Yang, and perhaps seen the symbol in black and white of the two united teardrops?

These are symbolic ways of indicating the basic philosophy of all life being a harmony of positive and negative. A physical imbalance in Chinese medical terms can be caused by problems arising from outside the body or in inside the body, or through a slowing down through stagnation leading to blockage of the energies circulating in the body.

The name used for these energy lines, which we all have, is ‘meridians’, and when these meridians or energy channels slow down and sometimes even become blocked, the resulting imbalance of the body can cause pain in a local area like the muscular bruising through trauma, or an illness in a major organ, perhaps through bad input, i.e. food - chemicals - emotions, or even just the aging process.

A trained TCM doctor will seek to clear the energy block through acupuncture or other methods taught as part of the curriculum, [see part two of this essay] and so restore the body's balance. Some people have treatments like acupuncture as a preventative measure to strengthen their constitution, or because they feel unwell without being "ill" in the Western sense. Convalescence from a serious condition, or just a common cold and being ‘run down’, will be greatly aided by a balancing course of treatments, which might start as six weeks.

We must allow that long-term conditions will not have quick solutions.What is the main difference between Chinese medicine and Western medicine? Traditional Chinese medicine treats the cause of the disorder, and Western medicine concentrates more on the symptom of the disorder. For example, two people may have the same symptoms of eczema, but the cause of the complaint may be completely different: one patient may have an imbalance of the liver, the other an imbalance of the spleen.

Whereas a Western doctor may prescribe the same medicine for the ailment, the TCM doctor will treat the underlying cause of eczema, and in this case one patient will be treated for a liver imbalance and the other for a spleen imbalance.

Acupuncture became popular in the West in the early Seventies, and is now one of the most widely recognised therapies; it is now an integral part of the rapid growth of ‘complementary’ [notice we don’t say here ‘alternative’] therapy in the UK and abroad, and it is a holistic approach to full body health based on over 4000 years of developments and refinements in the Far East and Europe. 

The skill of the acupuncturist lies in their manipulation of the energies and ability to make a true diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony. 

Does acupuncture conflict with conventional Western medicine?

It is used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease. As with any treatment, it may be important to mention certain details about your current state of health, as this will assist the practitioner in his full diagnosis of your condition. Most European Doctors recommend acupuncture as a complement to any western medicine. 

Your own doctor will most certainly be pleased you are seeking this extra help, and might even offer the service themselves, as in recent years more and more and more GP’s, physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, nurses and health care professionals are adding this most valuable treatment to their skills.

How does acupuncture work?

Fine needles are inserted at points around the body to stimulate or suppress the flow of "Qi" - the enigmatic life force - sometimes described as "electro-chemical" or "electro-magnetic" energy. There are about 500 acupoints along the 12 plus energy meridians. A 100 of these acupoints are most commonly used - also the alteration of energy at the beginning or end of flow line will affect the places between.

Acupuncture aims to restore the balance of Qi energy - a state of equilibrium when Yin and Yang are in harmony. Acupuncture may help to relieve pain (from injuries to a muscle, or a migraine, for example) and suppress cravings (food, alcohol, cigarettes etc). It is also widely used for stress relief.  

What about needle sterilisation?

All members of the CMIR (Chinese Medical Institute Register) must observe a code of practice, which lays down stringent standards of hygiene and sterilisation of needles and other equipment, and modern practitioners use disposable needles. These procedures have been approved by the Department of Health, and provide protection against the transmission of infectious diseases.

Is acupuncture painful?

Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to needles used in blood tests and injections. They are solid rather than hollow and so can be much finer. Most people find acupuncture and electro-acupuncture a pleasant and deeply relaxing experience. There should be no pain during the insertion of needles if the doctor is fully trained and experienced.

When the practitioner carefully inserts the needles, you may feel a slight tingling sensation, heat or coldness. This indicates that the treatment is beginning to have some effect; it is called 'obtaining the Qi'. Some people may feel numbness at the point of entry or an energy transfer along the meridian to another part of the body.  

Needles are inserted either for a second or two, or left in place for up to 20 minutes, depending on the effect required, and adding the electro therapy can take from 20 to 40 mins. After acupuncture, you will feel relaxed or even slightly sleepy, so please take care not to tackle anything strenuous for a few hours following your treatment.

I prefer patients to have a driver with them in the case of a troublesome illness.

How can acupuncture help me?

The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition, many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, improve appetite and sleep and gives an enhanced sense of overall well being. It is strongly advised that you make sure that the TCM doctor who treats you is fully qualified. There should be qualifications, Diplomas insurance Certificate on display at the clinic for study by all patients.

Below are some of the problems and diseases commonly treated by acupuncture, not forgetting convalescence and rehabilitation.

How a diagnosis made in TCM

By indications discovered through observation and questioning, for example looking at the tongue, and taking of the pulses, to mane but two. Neck pulsation of common carotid artery Foot: pulsation of the anterior tibial artery - Wrist: pulsation of the radial artery used most commonly in modern times.

Incidentally there are many pulses within the usual ones, for example nine places on each wrist are felt. From these pulse rates the doctor will again be able to tell the state of your many internal organs.

The training also includes understanding and taking note of all the ‘windows’ of the Zang and ‘Fu’ organs, for example the eyes, lips, skin, etc. Also sought are differences of hot / cold, internal / external, excess / deficiency, the aspects of Yin and Yang previously mentioned. The exact pattern and degree of disharmony is individual to each patient, and acupuncture aims to treat patients with a very special personalised treatment plan.What exactly is acupuncture?

In the ancient times pins/ needles were used, made of bone, stone, or sharpened metals very crudely made, some of which can be seen on exhibition in the natural science museum today, but we are pleased to say that modern manufacture means they are now of an extremely fine texture, so mush so they are almost invisible! They are inserted into the skin using a thin clear plastic tube to guide the needle.

Chinese Medicine / Part Two / Alternatives 

Although the needles used in acupuncture are so fine – almost as thin as a hair – and don’t hurt, some people are nevertheless put off by their use, so there are various alternative techniques based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the meridian system of acupuncture. These chiefly include the following:

Tui-Na Energy point stimulation of the meridian points

 
We are familiar with everyday massage in the home as it is natural to rub a hurt place better, and through this the movement of the underlying tissues will benefit by stopping the blocking of energy, blood or fluids. In Tui-Na or Acupressure the therapist uses fingers and hands to manipulate the acupoints in much the same way as the manipulation principles employed in professional physiotherapy massage, and depending on the age and tissue condition of the patient the amount of stimulation will vary a lot: Children, babies and old people need special considerations so find this gentler treatment more suitable. Techniques can be taught for self-help in the home.

 Cupping / Magnetic Therapy.
 

Cupping, in the days before anti-biotics (perhaps your grand mother saw this form of treatment more often in her day) the drawing out of impurities from perhaps a boil or carbuncle was a tried and true method.

A jar, bottle or cup had in those days, the air removed with a flame quickly placed inside it, and was immediately placed onto the surface of the skin causing it to rise into the vessel. The modern way is to use a device called a vacuum suction cup made of lightweight plastic and is this is far more hygienic.  Magnetic additions to assist the Human Energy Field are added for some treatments to add another dimension to meridian therapy, in the similar way that electro therapy is used.

Not all cupping is going to leave marks which like the picture below - it just depends on how they are used, for instance I use the sweeping movement far more than the static for the obvious reasons of unsightliness. 

 Moxibustion

The incense stick is a familiar purchase at any local store in recent years, and the gentle aroma is similar to the burning of Moxa, which is used to heat parts of the body and can be applied in many ways, heat treatment is a natural recourse in the form of a hot water bottle, but the moxa herb applied with or without the acupuncture needle is far more accurate in its curative effect. There is evidence that from 50,000 yrs BC the application of fire, using wood branches, was used for inhibiting cold and promoting warmth on the human body, in controlled circumstances for medical purposes.

 Electro-Acupuncture

One form of this therapy is the ‘TENS ’ machine used most commonly in physiotherapy and childbirth. Positive and negative energies are passed through the tissues in order to promote or interrupt the body’s flow of energy, using mechanical means a vibration rate can be controlled to different waves, and is often used for example in the blocking of back pain. Through the National Health Service ‘pain centers’ have been set up to assist patients who live with permanent pain on a daily basis.

 Auricular Therapy 

Acupuncture without the needles sounds like an oxymoron but the use of seeds or metallic balls has the stimulating effect very close to that of needles, so both of these seemingly foreign objects may be used on the ear surface. The ear has a very thin layer of underlying tissue beneath the skin, and because of this a hard object like a seed or metallic ball held close to the surface with the smallest possible surgical plaster when tapped lightly with the finger actually works very well. Also this method of treatment is left on the ear for the patient to take home, and so will also be present throughout the week between treatments to enable the patient to continue the stimulation and so, as it were, treat himself! A little care in cleanliness is all it takes – whereas the insertion of ear needles left in place carries a far greater risk of infection.

 Conscious Energy Therapy

Energy Medicine, to release problems on all the levels of ill health, is often used together with acupuncture, not just in severe and chronic diseases to enhance the action of conventional acupuncture, in contrast to Western medicine, where pain and other uncomfortable symptoms are repressed by analgesics or spasmolytic drugs

Awareness Release Therapy and Emotional Freedom Treatment is the use of Visualisation in conjunction with the physical treatments or it can be used alone as a part of other counselling methods. 

Direct methods of ‘energy medicine’ focus the attention of the patient onto the diseased area and thus bring the consciousness into it for the patient themselves to take a more active role in their own healing. Directing the energies and releasing pain through the use of visualisation and meditation has long been used for a stimulating or sedative effect, and is used both in the emotional and physical areas. 

It is commonly used Reiki and other spiritual healing training processes.

We are coming to understand in the western world how stress and tension cause a ‘knock-on’ effect on the physical body, whereas in Chinese medicine is was long ago recognised that the emotions when overly stimulated can cause distress to internal organs, for example nightmares causing bed-wetting in children, or stress causing stomach ulcers in adults. Teaching this method self-help to my patients brings back a most welcome element of control into the everyday life.

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Above you see a typical shop where the raw materials of Chinese medicine may be bought.

Chinese Herbal Medicine has evolved over thousands of years as a powerful and accurate tool regulating the internal organs and immune system. It assists greatly not only in helping many skin and digestive conditions, but also allergies and other imbalances too. All the ingredients used by  are natural, and unlike most Western drugs, have no adverse side effects. A trained TCM doctor will prescribe a mixture of different herbs to treat an individual's illness. Over 1000 herbs are used in Chinese medicine and the ingredients all come from the natural flora and fauna of China.

How does one take Chinese Medicine?

Traditionally, Chinese herbs are boiled in a soup or as tea to extract the essence of the herbs, which is then drunk by the patient. These days all the herbs are available in capsule form, your practitioner will prescribe when needed. No two prescriptions will be the exactly same, as an herbal prescription is tailored to treat the specific ailment of the individual, unlike Western prescriptions which are standardised by the pharmaceutical companies - although many capsules can now replace the brewing of infusions and the effects of sometimes-unpleasant odours emitting from this method.

Is it true that you use the bones of tigers and such things in medicines?

Traditionally many years ago such things were used in the ingredients of Chinese Herbal Medicine, the philosophy being that energies / characteristics of the animals are passed through this outmoded device, for example the bravery of a tiger. All modern therapists consider the use of these ingredients unethical and even if they were legal, would not consider exploitation of any endangered species.  

What is the role of Chinese Herbal Medicine with acupuncture?

Chinese herbs are said to regulate the internal organs and the immune system. With or without acupuncture, Chinese herbs can be a powerful therapy.  Each prescription carries a major and minor herb, a carrier and a principle, this could be likened to an expeditionary force, perhaps a commander and his officers. Each herb is selected to bring its own special factor and must harmonise with all the others.

Is my diet important?

Food therapy is known to us all - and chocolate comes to mind here!  The enzymes forming naturally in the gut can have encouragement to do their job well, as we see advertised on the TV frequently.Yes, a healthy lifestyle in general is important. Diet, exercise, fresh air, deep breathing, enough sleep, and relaxation all contribute to good physical and mental health. There are many methods of utilising the ‘Universal Energy Fields’ around us, for example Tai-Chi and Chi-Gong, you have perhaps seen in films from China where many people all exercise gently together forming the shapes of birds and animals with hands and feet to stimulate the bodies own energies, the public parks are commonly used for these beautiful and stimulating exercises in warmer climates.

Auricular Therapy - Ear Treatments for the whole body

We have all heard of Reflexology for the holistic treatment of the body’s functions by manipulation of the feet, so I would explain Auricular Therapy as performing the same function but having the advantage of the patient himself continuing the treatment, and especially in the case of pain relief, as and when needed.  

Ear acupuncture therapy treats and prevents diseases by stimulating certain points on the auricle / ear with tiny metal or natural caraway seeds, these are attached to flesh coloured sticking plaster so small we can hardly see them.

Alternatively tiny, very thin sterile disposable acupuncture needles can be used.

 The range of indications in ear acupuncture is broad, the method is relatively simple and economical, and there are few side effects, so it has become increasingly popular, you may remember Princess Diana having this treatment for her problems.  

The treatment originates from China, and medical workers there charted more than 200 sites on the auricle, but it has been a French acupuncturist and neurosurgeon, Dr. Paul Nogier who explored the ear, not only according to Chinese medical principles, but also scientifically. He paid serious attention to the correspondences between specific sites on the auricle and other parts of the body.  

Now, ear acupuncture is used not only in the treatment of a wide range of common diseases we see all around us, but it is also used in the treatment of difficult long term complicated diseases, and even as a surgical analgesia by the specialist.

It is interesting to notice that the charts and diagrams use the image of a baby in the foetal position upside down – the head being on the lobe and the curve of the spine being the very prominent ridge!

Stress