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What does acupuncture mean?
Acupuncture stands for the treatment of determined acupuncture points using needles. Acupuncture points can also be stimulated by warmth, dactylo pressure and laser beams.
What does TCM mean?
Traditional Chinese medicine has successfully been treating all kinds of diseases for the last 3000 years. The integral view of the human body is the centre of attention. It strengthens the self healing power of the body, its Yin and Yan and its basic energy Qi. When Yin and Yan are in balance and Qi is flowing in harmony, a human being is healthy. Disturbances in this balance cause diseases. Acupuncture helps to regulate the balance.
What does acupuncture treatment look like?
After a thorough history-taking (anamnesis), the acupuncture points are determined. They can be situated in the affected body region or further away from the location of the disease itself e.g. in legs and arms. During treatment the patient lies relaxed on a couch. The acupuncture needle is placed and stimulated by turning, lifting or dropping (abating, lowering) as necessary. When the correct acupuncture point is reached, some patients experience a blunt or pulling sensation, they sometimes are more sensitive to warmth or they notice some kind of prickling. The Chinese call this "De-Qi-feeling". In an acute state of the disease, treatment takes place quite frequently (up to once a day), chronic diseases are treated twice a week (for 6-10 weeks). One session lasts 20-30 minutes. Normally 5-8 sessions are necessary for treating acute diseases and chronical diseases require 12-20 sessions. In some cases a "refreshment" treatment may be needed.
Types of acupuncture
There are different types of acupuncture. Chinese acupuncture treats main meridians, which run throughout the body. In ear acupuncture the body focuses on zones and points located in the area of the ear. Skull acupuncture is related to certain areas of the head. Trigger point acupuncture treats painful points of the musculature.
Are there any side effects?
Barely. In some cases metabolistic or circulatory reactions may be possible, or a temporary worsening of pain may occur. As needles are only used once there is no risk of infection.
How does acupuncture work?
IIt is known that via nerve tracts acupuncture can be effective even in distant parts of the body. Endorphines (endogene opiates) are involved in this process and they play an important role in pain relief. Acupuncture affects internal organs, pain, the immune system and mental processes. Any functional disorder can be treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture shows sustainable effects even on structures already destroyed : In cases of arthritis the cartilage of the joint cannot be renewed, but pain can be relieved. In case of apoplexia (stroke), the destroyed nerves cannot be regenerated, but the retained functions can be improved.
Diseases to be treated with acupuncture
Orthopaedic diseases
- Shoulder-arm syndrome
- Periarthritis humeroscapularis
- Tennis ellbow
- Lumbago
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Neurological diseases
- Headache
- Poliomyelitis paralysis
- Migraine
- Ménière`s disease trigeminal neuralgia
- Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- Facial paresis
- Enuresis nocturna
- Paralysis resulting from apoplexia (stroke)
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Peripheral neuropathies
- Ischialgia
Respiratory diseases
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