Acupuncture has been practiced in various forms the world over, both the Ancient Egyptians, Mayas, Incas and Traditional Peoples of Northern Africa practised similar techniques, and indeed Avicenna practiced a form of acupuncture. But it was in China where acupuncture reached its highest development and the greatest level of technical perfection.

The principles and practice of acupuncture were originally first formally set out in the "Huang Di Jing" which was compiled around the 4th century BC. The first part of this book, which is called the "Ling Shu", deals mainly the prevention of disease. The Ling Shu composes about 85% of the whole work, (indicating that acupuncture has a lot more to teach us in disease and illness prevention than that of treatment). The second book is the "Su Wen", it deals with treatment methods involving acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Moxibustion. All three of these treatments are available at our Denny Clinic.

The Huang Di Jing is written in the form of a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di) and his minister, and commences by stating that people in ancient times had a much greater vitality and longevity than was the case at the time, because they lived more in harmony with nature. It then introduces the life force or "Qi", ( remember this is pronounced "chee"), and describes its daily flow through the twelve bilateral channels called meridians, to all functional areas of the body. It gives the many causes and effects from an excess or deficiency of "Qi" and goes on to explain how imbalances of "Qi" may be corrected and diseases may be prevented or cured by puncturing specific points along these meridians.  

Acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles at varying angles and depths at anatomically located points, is still applied in much the same way as was done by the ancient Chinese physicians.

When Acupuncture is used for the treatment of health conditions like those below, it is generally used in combination with Herbal Medicine or other Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches.

Acupuncture has five main effects: 1. Analgesia. 2. Sedation. 3. Re-establishing of the Homeostasis. 4. Immune support and anti-inflammatory effects. 5. Motor recovery (used for muscle weakness or paralysis).

It can be used to treat,

Stress: Insomnia, anxiety,depression, general low energy levels, Chronic fatique syndrome, competition stress syndrome, irretable bowel syndrome (IBS), palpitation, shortage of breath.

Pain: Headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, sports injuries, arthritis, sciatica, frozen shoulder,tennis elbow, back or neck pain,post operative pain, gout, toothache, stomachache, herpes zoster (shingle), cancer pain.

Nervous system: Bells palsy, vertigo, meniere disease, stroke. Resporatory system, sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, asthma.

Digestive system: Nausea and vomiting, chronic ulcerative colitis, bloated stomach.

Immune & endorine system: Allergic rhinitis, hay fever,hyper and hypothyriodism, adverse reaction to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Male problems: Non-organic sexual disfunction, prostatitis,impotance, male infertility.

Female problems: Iregular periods, premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhoem (period pain) menorrhagia (heavy periods), endometriosis, menopause, female infertility.  

On that last point an article in the Guardian on Friday the 8 of February 2008 stated that Acupunture may increase your IVF success rate by 65%. 

Aside from these medical conditions, T.C.M. can improve your lifestyle.

For instance, become a non-smoker, reduce weight, overcome anger and depression, and increase your concentration.