Blog# 43 An Introduction to Acupuncture and
Qi
Acupuncture, an ancient system of
Asian medicine, can address many health issues and also help optimize mental
and physical functioning and comfort.
Especially well-known as a method of pain control, acupuncture can also
help improve hearing and eyesight, help injuries heal more quickly than they
otherwise would, calm the mind and emotions, improve blood and lymphatic
circulation, relax muscle spasm, help relieve some types of constipation and
diarrhea, relieve and prevent sinus and other respiratory infections, alleviate
headaches, help regulate blood sugar, strengthen the immune system, and much
more.
Acupuncture works with Qi, also spelled “chi”, which is a
concept and energy for which Western medicine has no precise equivalent. Qi
can direct blood and lymph flow, allows internal organs to function more
healthfully and efficiently, relax muscles, help the immune system function in
a balanced and harmonious way, and help the mind function more
effectively. Qi runs in channels (also referred to as meridians) in the body
which connect internal organs, muscles, skin and bone. Qi
has both magnetic and electrical qualities.
When you receive an acupuncture treatment, if you keep your mind totally
quiet and just focus on the needles and your body, you may be able to sense
tingling, mild fasciculation, warming or cooling of certain areas of the body,
and sometimes even a lightness or heaviness of limbs or of the body in
general. These feelings are due to the
presence and movement of Qi, which is
a mental as well as a physical energy.
Acupuncture includes several
different types of techniques which all work with specific points and
channels. In addition to needling, acupuncture
includes massage (acupressure and tui na),
cupping (creating suction over larger, flat areas of the body by using one or
more cup-like apparatus), and moxibustion (the skilled and very specific use of
heat usually generated by burning the herb mugwort).
One of my favorite uses of
acupuncture is to help improve the circulation to and from the nasal sinuses
and the other sinuses in the head. The
improvement of circulation results in less sinus congestion and fewer
infections. Some people have been able
to feel the direction of Qi flow in
the body during a treatment, and eventually have been able to help improve and
regulate Qi flow with their
minds. These fortunate people need fewer
treatments than most of us, and often can learn to regulate their sinus health
most of the time.
This blog’s offer: at your request, during an acupuncture
treatment I will help you become more aware of Qi sensations.
No comments:
Post a Comment