Just imagine what would happen if the practicing physicians,
the ones who come into contact directly with suffering humanity,
had some acquaintance with Eastern systems of healing! The spirit of the East surges in through every pore,
as balm for all the afflictions.
C. G. Jung
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Traditional Oriental medicine uses five methods to treat illness: acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutrition, a form of massage (Tui Na) and exercise (Qi Gong). Acupuncture is the main method and employs the use of small needles (the thickness of a single horse hair) at specific sites on the body.
In Western terminology, the action that results from the insertion of the needle causes the immune system of the body to respond. As a result, blood flow and neurotransmitters move to release the area affected by illness, whether it is pain from physical trauma or other internal disorders of the organs. The increased flow of blood and endorphins reduces pain and improves functioning of the organs.
However, this Western explanation reduces the true Eastern philosophy into extremely simplistic terms. The Chinese refer to the energy behind these actions as Qi. Qi can become obstructed by physical injury, psychological stress and lifestyle. Releasing areas of obstruction will free the flow, promoting improved health.
Oriental medicine takes into account many causative factors involved in disease. All factors, including genetics, trauma, emotional stress, nutritional, environmental and external invasions of viruses are considered when a pattern of illness arises.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recently determined areas in which acupuncture is effective as follows: |
