Definitions and terms

Complementary medicine refers to a group of therapeutic and diagnostic disciplines that exist largely outside the institutions where conventional health care is taught and provided. Complementary medicine is an increasing feature of healthcare practice, but considerable confusion remains about what exactly it is and what position the disciplines included under this term should hold in relation to conventional medicine

In the 1970s and 1980s these disciplines were mainly provided as an alternative to conventional health care and hence became known collectively as "alternative medicine." The name "complementary medicine" developed as the two systems began to be used alongside (to "complement") each other. Over the years, "complementary" has changed from describing this relation between unconventional healthcare disciplines and conventional care to defining the group of disciplines itself. Some authorities use the term "unconventional medicine" synonymously. This changing and overlapping terminology may explain some of the confusion that surrounds the subject.

The word 'Complementary' means 'working alongside'. We have taken that to mean - working alongside other health-care providers including the medical profession.

The word 'Medicine' means the art of restoring and maintaining health. As far as possible, complementary medicine provides natural approaches to healthcare.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) includes different approaches and techniques for treating the whole person. Many CAM disciplines have been used for thousands of years and have then been adapted for more modern approaches to treatment. All approaches work to heal the whole person rather than one condition or symptom. In addition, the energy or life-force of the individual is also considered and supported.

What is Healing ?

There are two definitions of the term 'healing': Firstly, the word relates to restoring balance and harmony to body, mind spirit and feeling. We see this as a natural approach to redress imbalances in the system as a whole, so that symptoms of stress or illness can be reduced or managed more easily. Allopathic treatment usually approaches one symptom at a time, rather than underlying causes, prescribing medication for the alleviation of the symptom. This may help in the short-term but many drugs have side-effects which then require another drug to be prescribed.

We believe that healing may happen when the system is ready and that therefore this can take time. This process will also include a healing for the underlying cause of symptoms where possible. The healing approach therefore aims to optimise holistic health and also enable the person to help themselves in restoring a balance to the system as a whole. Many CAM approaches are specifically designed, in their history and modern application, to support this homoeostatic healing process.

Secondly, the word relates to the specific practice of contact, absent or spiritual healing, whereby the Practitioner attunes to healing energy (usually described as Light and sometimes linked to healing colour or vibration). Organisations such as the National Federation of Spiritual Healers, or the College of Healing, and the SNU provide recognised training courses in this practice together with Practitioner networks. The Healer-Counsellor Division of the BRCP also provides a Register of qualified Members.

CHAKRA HEALING

The Chakra Life Force and Healing

The chakras are used as an active life force to pass the healing energies through by the healers in both worlds.

The spirit healer in the other world will use the knowledge that the physical healer had gained in this, to help the patient in any way that s/he can.

This is why the knowledge we as a healers gain all the time is so valuable. I know that the information coming to me for the patients I am privileged to treat now, is from a spiritual guide who is constantly waiting for my learning to improve, so I can be used in a better way for the good of patients to come in the future.

Please use all the information that you can to further your knowledge, take as many classes as possible.  A first aid class is the simplest.

As a student of Chinese medicine I am pleased to pass on some interesting information to you. It comes from many Masters, past and present, who have written books over the ages, so gathering four thousand of years of study - it's fascinating!

CHAKRA ACUPUNCTURE

Chakra acupuncture integrates the Indian Chakra system, a system of major energy centres, into the acupuncture practice promoting and deepening the flow of Energy, it is an extension of the practice of  TCM ['Traditional Chinese Medicine'] and so it deepens the application of traditional acupuncture by including the Indian Chakra System, a system of seven major energy centres, which are known to be in the midline of the body, from the premium to the cranium, as if the spine was a straight line continuing up through the head. Picture cones at each end, and along the line in certain places, all opening outwards. 

In addition, there are dozens of minor energy centres of secondary importance, which in most cases correspond to the location of important acupuncture points, on the limbs, hands, and feet. The chakras have certain functions, but as in the Chinese system all is not quite the same as western medicine. This is not to say that either is right or wrong, just a little different.

THE AIM of the treatment in any of the disciplines is to harmonise the flow of Qi [or energy] by dissolving the blockages and stagnations in the channels and organs.

Conditions of excess or deficiency are balanced, thus achieving an undisturbed function of the organs by harmonising Yin and Yang, positive and negative, because just as in any electrical apparatus the human body has electrical circuits that can be felt but not seen. For example, have you ever had an electrical shock from your car? The function of a TENS machine works on these principles, and  these ideas are also the basis of TCM and chakra harmonising.

Chakra Acupuncture extends and deepens the traditional application of acupuncture by including the Indian chakra system into the diagnosis and treatment, and apart from the acupuncture points selected according to Chinese aspects, further chakra points are needled in the area of the seven energy centres.

Thus the speed and direction of the chakras may be altered, and the energy flow promoted, this is called balancing of the chakras,  do not think that we can close a chakra, as some would say, this would cause physical death!

Here is a description of the Chakras and the Relation to Acupuncture Points and Chinese Organs - you can relate them to your own chakras.

1. Chakra Base Chakra Muladhara

Location: The first chakra is situated on the perineum and opens downwards. The position corresponds to the point Ren 1 Huiyin, the meeting point of the entire Yin.

Functions: The Yin corresponds to earth and thus the base chakra provides the energetic connection of the human being to the earth. The opening of the base chakra and the energetic flow through the chakra is responsible for the energetic connection of the body to the earth, which is called grounding. This chakra corresponds to the kidney Yin.

Acupuncture point: Ren 1 Huiyin [Translation - 'Meeting of Yin' - lowest point of the body]

2. Chakra Polarity Chakra Svadhistthana

Location: The second chakra is situated in the pelvis and has two openings, one forwards to the acupuncture points Ren 2-Ren 4 Guanyuan and one backwards to the sacrum, Du 2-Du 4 Mingmen.

Functions: The polarity chakra balances the Yin and Yang inside and outside; it forms the base for harmonious sexuality, i.e., the Yin and Yang balance and exchange outside. The first and second chakra form a unit and correspond to the kidney and the lower Jiao of the Sanjiao (pelvis). The polarity chakra corresponds to the kidney Yang, the urinary bladder and the large intestine.

Acupuncture points: Front:  Ren 4 Guanyuan [Hinge Gate]

Back: Du 4 Mingmen [Vital Life Gate]

3. Chakra Solar Plexus Chakra Manipura

Location: The third Chakra is situated in the abdomen. It opens forwards to the navel and backwards to the region of Du 5-Du 6.

Functions: The Manipura chakra regulates the personal will in the upper part and emotional expression in the lower part. In case of imbalance it is responsible for striving for power, anger, rage, and addiction. The Chinese organs spleen and liver correspond to the third chakra. There is also a relation to the middle Jiao of the Sanjiao.

Acupuncture points: Ren 8 Shenjue - ['Spirits Gateway'];

Du 5 Xuanshu, [Suspended Pivot]

4. Chakra Heart Chakra Anahata

Location: The fourth chakra is situated in the centre of the thorax and opens forwards to the point Ren 17 Shanzhong and backwards to the point Du 11 Shendao

Functions: The corresponding functions are friendliness, understanding, compassion, balancing of contrasts, striving for harmony, inner peace, and love. The heart chakra, as the fourth chakra, represents the center of the human being, and it is the most important integrating chakra located between the three upper and the three lower chakras.

The Anahata chakra corresponds to the heart and the upper Jiao.

Acupuncture points: Ren 17  Shanzhong [Hearts Palace], Du 11 Shendao [Spirit Pathway]

5. Chakra Throat Chakra Vishuddha

Location: The fifth chakra is situated in the throat and opens forwards to the larynx and backwards to the point Du 14 Dazhui.

Functions: The throat chakra produces the strength and expensiveness of speech. Another function is creativity.

The throat chakra corresponds to the lung.

Acupuncture points: Ren 22 Tiantu, [Heavenly Prominence]

6. Chakra Third Eye Ajna

Location: The sixth chakra is situated at the base of the skull. It opens forwards to the point Ex.1 Yintang and backwards to the point Du 15 Yamen.

Functions: The functions of the third eye are the ability to focus the mind, understanding, the power of discernment, intuition, and clairvoyance.

Acupuncture points: Ex.1 Yintang, [Hall of Impression]

7. Chakra Crown Chakra Sahasrara

Location: The seventh chakra is situated upon the cranium. It corresponds to the point Du 20 Baihui and Ex.6 Sishencong and opens upwards, like a crown.

Functions: the crown chakra represents the highest Yang in the body, in contrast to the meeting point of the entire Yin in the base chakra. The crown chakra is considered to be responsible for the understanding of higher aspects of life; it provides the connection to the spiritual world. The point Du 20 Baihui and the Ex.6 Sishencong are particularly important acupuncture points and serve to harmonise mental functions and the whole energy balance of the body.

Acupuncture points: Ex.6 Sishencong [Four Alert Spirits]

As you see there are many names of points that are in translation of spiritual orientation, and of the [I believe] total 600, many more have this basis.

Energy medicine is not new, but has been developed in recent years; one example is the A.R.T. - Awareness Release Therapy system, which I use in my own Clinic.

This is a method to focus the conscious awareness into the blockages or stagnant areas and dissolve them is used in combination with acupuncture to release especially chronic stagnations, for example, in severe pain conditions and in diseases with diffuse symptoms.

These methods are characterised by an intensive co-operation of the patient in the treatment process, thus taking more responsibility for the treatment results.  

Although the needles used in acupuncture are so fine - almost as thin as a hair - and rarely 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:

1. ‘Tui-Na’ and Acupressure - Acupuncture point energy stimulation - a form of massage.
2. Cupping - used in cold conditions and stagnation. Also used in conjunction with Magnetic Therapy, the addition of positive and negative magnets to cupping
3. Moxibustion - the use of ignited herbs with a strong fragrance
4. Auricular Therapy - for the patient to continue treatment at home using the ear points
5. Conscious Thought therapy - taught to the patient in the form of Visualisation
6. Chinese Herbal Therapy - now come in capsule form, or herbs to brew as an infusion [severe and mild conditions]
7. Laser Therapy - a hospital only treatment

1. TUI-NA ENERGY POINT STIMULATION OF THE MERIDIAN POINTS
We are all 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 moving the energy, blood or fluids.

In Tui-Na or Acupressure the therapist manipulates the acupoints in much the same way as the 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. ETF or ‘tapping’ as it has become known, is another straight forward treatment for self help, empowering the patient to assist in his/her own healing, which I teach and apply very frequently in the clinic and for use at home. I find that daily ;’tapping’ is most beneficial, both for myself, family, and all my patients.

2. CUPPING / MAGNETIC THERAPY.
Cupping was more common in this county in the days before anti-biotics, the drawing out of impurities from perhaps a boil or carbuncle was a tried and true method. A jar, bottle or cup was used in those days with a heat source.
But cupping in this context is a little different, it is used to move fluids and energy within the whole system. The modern way is to use a vacuum suction cup made of lightweight plastic, 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.
Not all cupping is going to leave marks which have been shown in the popular press and 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.

3. MOXIBUSTION
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 in the form of wood branches, was used for inhibiting cold and promoting warmth on the human body, in controlled circumstances for medical purposes.
The incense stick is a familiar purchase at any local store, and the gentle aroma is similar to the burning of the Moxa herb, which is used to heat parts of the body and can be applied in many ways.

4. 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 objects / tools may be used on the ear surface. Illustrate below each ’seed’ or metalic ball is attached with a very small sticky-plaster.

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, which I prefer not to risk.

5. ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE
The stimulation of the needles is most often done by hand, however the electro pulse machine stimulates in a far more effective way. The ‘tingling’ sensation is quite pleasant, I have experienced all these treatments for myself over the years from fellow practitioners, and would not say this if it weren’t true.

6. CONSCIOUS ENERGY THERAPY
Energy Medicine, the use of visualisation to release problems on all the levels of ill health, is often used together with acupuncture to enhance the effectiveness, visualisation and meditation can take many forms, this conscious therapy is a ’sister’ treatment of the hypnotherapy and NLP discipline. An example of this is Emotional Freedom Treatment - EFT - which can be used alone or in conjunction with the other options., the ‘tapping’ previously mentioned.
There are quite a few methods of ‘energy medicine’ and the effective ones all focus the attention of the patient onto the diseased area and thus bring the conscious awareness into the part 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 either for a stimulating or sedative effect.
This interesting therapy is very empowering, it shows us how we have the resources and - yes - the power within ourselves to heal., and can be practiced at home with visualisations most often using the colours of the chakras, illustrated in the picture below.

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

Is now in the capsule form which cuts out the boiling and drinking of the liquid, this modern form of herbal therapy is less bother - I always prescribe herbs in this form because so many people have told me that they cannot abide the strong smells that is emitted in the preparation. The traditional formulas are grouped into over a hundred capsules, and can be very stimulating or calming as the case may be.  Below you see two capsules with some of the very fine needles displayed.

CAN ALL THESE HELP STRESS?
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, e.g. nightmares causing bed-wetting in children, stress causing stomach ulcers in adults. Many patients have commented that the empowering methods of self-help that I teach, bring back a most welcome element of control into the everyday life.