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 [see article part three] 

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.

About Mrs Stella Rodgers

Stella is a practicing healer of over ten years standing, she holds the Certificate of the Spiritualist National Union, the Diploma of Chinese Healthcare and Acupuncture from the University of Beijing, and is on the Chinese Medical Institute Registrar for acupuncture and related subjects. 

Stella has recently moved to the county of Norfolk from West Yorkshire to be near her family. Although semi-retired now she does take patients on a private basis and all inquiries are welcomed.  

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