The Centre

What is Acupuncture?

History

Acupuncture has been firmly established in China for 2000 years.

Philosophy & Theory

Acupuncture is based on the theory that our good health depends upon a life-giving force – Qi – which animates the body and is concentrated in channels which maintain the functioning of all the organs. These channels (meridians) flow just below the skins surface and have been investigated and mapped by Chinese doctors for thousands of years.

What can Acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture has a wide variety of uses, which can be categorised in the following way:

Acute symptoms

General pain including back pain, muscle spasm, sciatica, tennis elbow, sports injury, headaches, post-operative trauma.

Chronic (long-term problems)

Gynaecological problems – post-natal depression, menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, night sweats etc.), migraine, asthma, allergies, digestive problems, skin problems, chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, arthritis, sinusitis, poor circulation.

Stress/emotional

Sleep problems, Agoraphobia, panic attacks, anxiety, depression.

Constitutional/Immune

Acupuncture is being used more widely to improve and maintain better levels of health and vitality and to strengthen the immune system in order to prevent illness occurring. Also, most people have an area where they are constitutionally vulnerable e.g. digestion, circulation, lungs, migraines related to menstruation. Regular treatment can prevent these conditions from lowering the quality of our lives.

Transitions

Moving from one stage of life to another e.g. childhood to adolescence, adolescence to adulthood. Adulthood to old age can present significant challenges, which can manifest in symptoms. Acupuncture can help with these problems.