Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a component of the health care system which originated in China. It can be traced back for about 4,000 years. Acupuncture treatment is rendered based on Chinese medical diagnosis, which includes assessment of pulse quality, color and shape of the tongue, abdominal examination, medical history, and whole body evaluation

Acupuncture is most well known for penetration of specific locations on the skin, called acupuncture points, using thin, solid, generally metallic needles.

Treatment is based on regulating the body's energy, called Qi {chee}, which flows all over the body. Qi flows along invisible pathways called meridians. When Qi is blocked, physical or mental disease will occur. To improve this flow, acupuncture mobilizes Qi and blood, and invigorates the proper functions of the body to hasten the healing process.

Here is an example to explain Qi and acupuncture. When people are stuck in a traffic jam they generally find it unpleasant, and feel anxious, irritable and nervous. Ignoring those feelings does not solve the problem. Calling the police to remove the vehicle in an accident, or trying to find the reason for the obstruction has a better chance of solving the traffic jam. Some people prefer to concentrate on relieving their symptoms, but this is a temporary resolution of the problem. Oriental medicine finds the root of problem and corrects it. The meridian system is like a road in our body, and Qi is like the vehicle which delivers energy throughout the body. If Qi is not free-flowing, taking painkillers is to ignore the important signs. What an acupuncturist does is use needles to improve Qi flow in order to remove obstacles on the meridian, and allow the Qi to go smoothly. Hundreds of acupuncture points in the body can be opened like gates to balance and harmonize the flow of Qi, relieving pain and many other symptoms of disease.

Ear-acupuncture (耳針)

The body has many different acupuncture points, including the ear. The ear is universal, because there are points in the ear which can treat the whole body. For some conditions, the acupuncturist may use auricular acupuncture, in which needles are used at acupuncture points on the ear. There are specific points in the ear to treat internal organs as well as limbs. When disorders occur in any part of the body, they can also show at the corresponding points in the ear. Stimulating these sensitive areas on the ear serves to prevent and treat diseases and illness. PTSD, weight control, addiction problems, as well as many other chronic problems can be treated with acupuncture in the ear.

Electroacupuncture (電針)

Electro-acupuncture is a modern way of acupuncture treatment where a mild electric current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles.

In essence, electro-acupuncture works the same way as the traditional acupuncture. However, the difference between these two is the needles and source of stimulation.

Because of the difference in technology, electro-acupuncture uses a set of dual-needles. Each set of needles is connected to a machine which passes a small electric current through the needle set. Therefore, needles are creating a vibrating or tapping sensation to help stimulate the flow of Qi

The pace and intensity of the electrical charge and needling tapping can be reduced or increased by the machine. By doing so, it helps reduce the muscular pain and tightness.