DAAN Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture

An interesting article about an acupuncture practitioner in Appalachia explaining how acupuncture works:

“The thought of having needles or pins placed from head to toe is enough to make some cringe - unless they are a fan of acupuncture.

“The idea behind acupuncture is that we have a vital life force running through us through channels, much like a stream,” oriental medicine doctor and licensed acupuncturist Robert E. Robinson said.

“Thousands of years ago, Chinese men and women discovered the art of stimulating the energy and organs of the body through the application of pressure and heat,” Robinson said. “They used special points which formed patterns on the surface of the body. These points are known today as ‘acupuncture meridians.’”

Through “the application of very fine needles or heat on these pathways, one is able to influence the body’s natural flow of energy known as “qi” [pronounced “chee”].”

There are 365 main points of acupuncture and over 1000 “extra points.”

The ear alone has 200 points used to control various parts of the entire body.

Walking into an acupuncture clinic, it is likely that the smell of burning moxa, commonly known as mugwort, will be present.

The scent and heat of it is used to stimulate blood flow allowing for a smoother qi, Robinson said.

Acupuncture needles range in size from one to 10.

A size-one needle is the needle of choice for Robinson, and is hardly larger than a strand of fishing line; comparably, a size-10 needle closely resembles the size of a cross stitch needle.

“The Japanese believe you don’t need to feel the needle for the treatment to be effective and I want as little discomfort for the patient as possible,” Robinson said. “Many say they can’t feel it until they get to the hands or feet where there are more nerve endings.”

Robinson described the sensation as that of a mosquito bite that quickly fades.

Robinson believes that acupuncture can be used to treat almost anything.”

Tags: Acupuncture //