What is Acupuncture? Many have heard of it, but few know what it really is. Some would say it's a healing method that involves sticking needles into the skin. Unfortunately the name acupuncture does indeed lead attention to the idea of needles in the skin. But acupuncture is actually much more than that. Acupuncture is a system of healing that involves first understanding the human being on the basis of a highly complex energy system and structures.
The general theory says that there is this energy system characterized by the presence of meridians or channels through which energy flows and maintains a balance in the functioning of the human body.When this energy system is not functioning properly because the energy is blocked or perhaps the quality of energy in one or more meridians or energy organs is altered, then diseases can occur.
But what is very interesting about acupuncture is that it recognizes the human being not only at the physical level, but understands and integrates both in diagnosis and treatment the mental, emotional and spiritual side. Health is not only defined as the absence of disease at the physical level, but is defined as balance and harmony on all levels, including those beyond the physical. For example, if someone is anxious or depressed or suffers from insomnia, then these are considered imbalances that can be identified, diagnosed and resolved with acupuncture even if there is nothing structurally wrong.
There are many benefits that derive from the fact that acupuncture is a method whose operating principle is to encourage the body's own means of healing. This is why it has no side effects, because the body knows exactly where to act and perfectly doses its hormonal and neurotransmitter interventions.
Although it is by far the most scientifically researched and documented of all the complementary therapies, science has proven again and again that it works, but it has not yet elucidated how. What is certain, however, is that acupuncture has a number of extraordinary benefits - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Physically it can be beneficial in an extremely wide range of conditions. It is easier to define what it is not effective at: in general, structural conditions that require direct surgical intervention remain the preserve of conventional medicine.
Beyond that, however, acupuncture can optimize and often heal almost anything, because it is within the body's power to activate its own healing and recovery mechanisms.
Some of the most commonly treated conditions include: pain;
These can be muscular pains such as lumbar back pain, cervical pain, etcetera, but also cycle pains, headaches, joint pains, any kind of inflammatory type pains, as well as organ pains such as digestive pains of the intestinal type, but also distension type pains such as can be found in the liver and gallbladder, abdomen, etc
Insomnias are a range of conditions that are extremely disruptive and can easily take a person out of function, both physically and mentally. Not only does acupuncture successfully treat insomnia, but it does so without creating addiction, and as in almost all cases, it does so by getting to the cause, thanks to a system of deep understanding of the physiology and pathology underlying the body's functions and dysfunctions.
By addressing the cause, acupuncture is often able to cure insomnia, so that it doesn't come back and no treatment, not even acupuncture, is needed.
Frequently the digestive system can suffer from some dysfunctions that cannot be very clearly categorized, with a well-defined cause, let alone a treatment that can solve the problem definitively. Acupuncture is recognized for its ability to solve difficult problems, starting with irritable bowel syndrome and continuing with gastritis, gastric ulcers, biliary dyskinesia, digestive intolerances, etc.
Acupuncture is particularly useful and effective in treating problems such as period pain, irregular menstrual cycle, excessively heavy menstruation, ovarian cysts, premenstrual syndrome, premenopausal hot flushes, etc.
One of acupuncture's latest claims to fame are scientific studies showing its ability to double the success rate of in vitro fertilizations. But its ability doesn't stop there.
It can be useful in normalizing endometrial thickness, regulating ovulation, restoring the hormonal balance necessary for fertility, as well as successfully treating couples suffering from infertility of a cause unknown to conventional medicine.
Acupuncture has to offer including in the area of male infertility. In this case it can improve sperm motility, increase sperm velocity in the case of slow spermatozoa, and decrease the percentage of sperm malformations.
This is perhaps the newest addition to the long list of conditions that have been shown to respond very positively to acupuncture treatment.
Even if classical medicine has trouble understanding the reasons why different individuals may be left with post Covid complications, the highly individualized approach on both the diagnostic and interventional sides of acupuncture allows it to have exceptional results in helping these patients return to optimal health.
Also on the physical level, we can list here the improvement of immunity, improvement or resolution of respiratory problems such as bronchial asthma, heart problems as long as they are not related to structural changes in the heart or heart valves, and many other conditions that cannot be listed here.
Emotionally Acupuncture is a particularly powerful tool for both understanding, diagnosing and successfully treating a very wide range of ailments.
These can include anxiety, depression, panic attacks, but also less acute but extremely common emotional distress. To understand what we mean in this category, we need to remember that the purpose of acupuncture is not to solve problems, that is not its focus, although it does so with great success.
The focus of acupuncture is to optimize functioning, based on the premise that the natural state of the human being is one of harmony and balance and health, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It is precisely this approach as well as the very deep understanding of the functioning of the human psyche integrated with the physical that allows acupuncture to be used also for personal development at an emotional level.
This means that acupuncture can be used to resolve childhood traumas, increase self-esteem, decrease self-criticism, increase a sense of inner peace and wellbeing.
Mental Acupuncture can be helpful in improving memory, the ability to learn and absorb new information, mental flexibility, optimizing decision-making and orientation skills, and better mental clarity.
When we talk about spiritual plane We are not referring here to anything religious, but rather to orientation, direction, clarity in life, and alignment with one's own identity. While this plane is perhaps the most subtle of all those touched by acupuncture, frequently human suffering comes from a lack of direction or alignment with what is truly precious to us. Acupuncture allows us a greater clarity, a deeper awareness of what is who we are, who we are, what is our path in life that we feel we resonate with.
Last but not least, acupuncture allows us to take ownership of all of this by cultivating self-confidence and the courage to speak our mind and be authentic. Experience has shown how profound and significant the changes derived from this realignment to who we really are can be.
Like any medical process, the first step is diagnosis. How this is done may differ somewhat from one therapist to another. Some acupuncturists prefer to make a complete diagnosis at the first session. Others prefer to segment the diagnostic process into several sessions in parallel with treatment.
The diagnostic part of acupuncture traditionally comprises four pillars.
I. The first is anamnesis, the discussion with the patient in which the patient's symptoms are reviewed. This step may seem similar to the anamnesis done by a classical medical doctor. But that is where the similarities end.
II. The next diagnostic pillar in acupuncture is the tongue diagnosis. The therapist will examine the patient's tongue and will note a whole series of parameters such as film, cracks, tongue shape, volume, etc. One of the premises of this type of diagnosis is that the various internal organs have a projection on a certain area of the tongue, and the various tongue changes, deviations from normal, associated with the various areas corresponding to the various organs may indicate imbalances in them.
III. Other pylon An extremely typical acupuncture diagnosis is the pulse diagnosis. The therapist will take the patient's pulse but not in the way they take the pulse in classical medicine. In Chinese medicine the pulse is taken at three positions at each wrist, resulting in six positions, each corresponding to a pair of organs.
The pulse will not only be examined from the perspective of heart rate, but from a much more complex perspective in which aspects such as arterial thickness, arterial wall tension, pulse wave dynamics, etc. are taken into account. By evaluating these qualities and associating them with the various organs corresponding to the various positions where the pulse is examined, the therapist can identify a whole series of internal organ imbalances. This diagnostic method is considered to be the most complex and difficult in the whole arsenal of Chinese medicine and takes years to master.
IV. The last pillar of diagnosis is the physical examination, and here again the procedure will be very different from classical medicine. The therapist will examine various areas on the patient's body, the shape, texture and color of the skin, may palpate various areas with emphasis on the path of various meridians that run through the skin area, or may palpate various acupuncture points to see if they are painful.
It is not compulsory for a therapist to go through all these diagnostic pillars. Different therapists have preferences and inclinations towards one or another of the diagnostic factors, although in cases of difficult diagnosis most often all four steps will be covered.
It is worth mentioning that in the anamnesis part, those therapists who have access to the acupuncture part that understands and treats the emotional and spiritual area, will lead the discussion in a way that has many shades of psychotherapy.
We are expected to discuss all aspects of our lives, not just the physical. It should be emphasized once again that acupuncture is a holistic medicine, which sees the human being as a whole, understanding that the mental, emotional and spiritual are as much components of the human being as the physical. In fact, it is precisely this understanding of the intrinsic and extremely deep connection between all these dimensions of the human being that enables the healing of many conditions that elude classical medicine. The reason is precisely because acupuncture recognizes the emotional causes of some physical ailments, basically the somatization mechanism of emotions that have not been properly processed.
Once an initial diagnosis has been made, treatment begins.
An acupuncture session is usually divided into two parts:
These may include:
Typically, the patient will stay with the needles for about 20-30 minutes, after which the therapist removes the needles and the patient goes home.
In between acupuncture sessions, the patient is advised to pay close attention to how they feel, both physically and emotionally.
The frequency of sessions varies according to each therapist's style. Therapists trained in the Chinese style will choose to conduct sessions at a high frequency (3-5 sessions per week). Therapists trained in Japan or other countries will often prefer a frequency of one session per week. Low frequency of sessions has the advantage that it allows the body to process the treatment until the next session and allows the therapist to better tailor the treatment according to the reaction generated. It also has a much lower risk of overwhelming the patient.
Although the origin of acupuncture is in China, the Chinese style practiced today does not really reflect the values of Chinese culture, but rather the values promoted after 1949 in China with the advent of communism. Acupuncture historically has always emphasized the individual in the deepest and most specific way possible, because since its inception it has put the mind, emotions and spirit of the patient first.
Obviously this approach is diametrically opposed to communist ideology. This was reflected in how acupuncture was allowed to be taught and practiced in China after the communist regime came to power. This style of acupuncture is characterized by the use of long, large, thick needles, many needles, inserted deeply, and with a very obvious degree of pain. The principle behind this approach is to be able to treat as many patients per unit of time as possible, as in post-communist China there was a large shortage of acupuncture therapists relative to the population.
The dialog or emotional contact is almost non-existent in this style.
As with much else, the Japanese have taken acupuncture from the Chinese and refined it. The Japanese style is associated with precision, refinement, subtlety and elegance. Few, very thin needles are used, with an emphasis on precise localization of points and patient comfort. Often in this style the patient will not even feel when the needle has penetrated the skin. The approach to the patient is much more individualized, and the treatment setting where the patient is alone in the room opens up the possibility of addressing the deeper levels - mental, emotional and spiritual.
The disadvantage of this style of acupuncture is that it is a premium service, with a higher degree of therapeutic success, significantly higher patient comfort, less frequent sessions, but higher price per session.
It is considered a Microsystem because it does not work on the basis of acupuncture meridians, and the acupuncture points on the ear are more reflexogenic points.
From this point of view this style is considered rather an appendage of acupuncture, as it does not utilize the body of knowledge of physiology and pathology of Chinese medicine. The approach is more symptomatic, aimed at getting some short-term and direct results, with no emphasis on identifying the cause or resolving it.
This style can be a very useful addition to classical acupuncture, as it has very useful and quick applications including appetite, metabolism, smoking cessation, etc. Practiced on its own, however, this style becomes very limited in understanding and long-term results.
It is an extremely rare style of acupuncture that combines two branches of Chinese wisdom and metaphysics: Chinese astrology and acupuncture.
Its premise is that the astrological natal chart can show us our life lessons, predispositions to various diseases, and the connection between the two. In other words, the premise of this method is that if we learn our karmic lessons we will achieve a very profound degree of balance and health.
The method is based on the ability to translate the Chinese astrological chart into a diagnosis and acupuncture treatment that facilitates transformation and healing at the deepest level.
The benefits of this style are its particular depth, which facilitates extremely profound emotional and spiritual transformations and facilitates the manifestation of the individual's potential.
The disadvantage of this style is that it requires emotional intelligence and a willingness on the part of the patient to revisit and heal painful chapters from their past, realizing that resolving these traumas will also allow the patient to manifest their own potential.
It is an area of acupuncture that targets certain small skin problems such as wrinkles, sagging skin, acne, low skin tone, low vitality, old looking skin, but also other problems such as varicose veins, tendency to bruise easily, etc.
If you want a healing method that takes into account not only your organs and your physique but also those aspects that make you truly human, if you want a healing method that is free of side effects, that uses amplification and activation of the body's own ability to repair itself by knowing exactly where and how to intervene, then - YES! - acupuncture is for you.
That said, it is also worth mentioning the limitations of acupuncture. It is not a panacea. Acupuncture is not the ideal method of treatment in every situation. Cases such as car accidents, broken bones, structural pathologies requiring surgery, emergency medicine - in all of these cases classical medicine is much more suitable for intervention than acupuncture.
Another limitation of acupuncture is the speed of delivery of results. The characteristic feature of the acupuncture approach is that it mainly follows the cause. Although treatments including symptomatic treatments can be done with acupuncture, classical medicine will usually offer faster and more effective symptomatic treatments, even if with important side-effects, and without necessarily reaching the cause. The price paid for addressing the cause of a condition is that acupuncture therapy will typically be spread over a much longer period of time than a treatment that only targets symptoms. The advantage, of course, is that once the root of the problem has been resolved, there will be no need for further treatment, either with drugs or acupuncture.
What is very important to note is that acupuncture and classical medicine can in many cases be used complementarily, not to the exclusion of each other but rather each targeting a very specific direction. In many cases for example, classical medicine can be used for symptom management, buying the patient the time needed for acupuncture to get to the cause and resolve it.
The biggest disadvantage of acupuncture at the moment, especially in Romania, is that it is very little known by the public, especially compared to other more developed countries in the West, but also in the East. in other countries acupuncture is integrated both in the hospital system and in the health insurance system, and frequently recommended by doctors. In Romania it is almost unknown, although its recognition is increasing in our country.
But here you are reading this article now and you've just added one more person to the list of those who know about the benefits of this time-tested healing system that has stood the test of time for over 2500 years. What do you say, is it time to enjoy the benefits it can offer you?
Dr. Octavian Sbârnā, Acupuncture specialist, Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology consultant
Acupuncture specialist, Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology consultant
