| The theory behind acupuncture is at once | | | | influenced from the outside. |
| complex and rich in detail, yet really quite easy to | | | | Simple pressure on a specific point or ‘energy |
| grasp. The following will outline the basics of | | | | vortex’ will produce changes in the energy |
| acupuncture theory and provide a springboard for | | | | system, with consequent physical effects. This |
| further investigation into the depths of Chinese | | | | provides the basis for simple acupressure |
| medical theory. | | | | treatment. We do this simple acupressure |
| Most basically, Meridians or energetic lay lines, | | | | technique naturally when we rub our temples |
| have been mapped throughout the human body. | | | | when we have a headache or massage our lower |
| These meridians flow within the body and not on | | | | back when it aches. Acupuncture simply takes this |
| the surface. | | | | a stage further. |
| Each meridian exists in a corresponding pair and | | | | In acupuncture, fine needles are inserted into the |
| has many acupuncture points along its path. The | | | | patient’s body as a series of appropriately |
| meridian system consists of twelve main channels. | | | | selected acupoints. The effect of the needling is |
| Each channel or meridian has many specific, | | | | expected to cause changes in the pattern of the |
| recognized acupuncture points. | | | | patient’s energy system with the result being |
| Although the meridians themselves are not | | | | beneficial changes at the physical level. It is |
| thought of as physically identifiable, their existence | | | | thought likely that the practitioner’s own |
| is proved by observation of the effect of | | | | energy system is also a factor in the process, the |
| stimulating various pressure points. | | | | needle becoming an extension of that energy |
| The theory and practice of acupuncture | | | | system. |
| developed hand in hand as practitioners observed | | | | Many conditions can be cured or at least |
| the effects of different kinds of needling in | | | | improved by acupuncture administered by a |
| different specific areas of the body. | | | | qualified and experienced practitioner. A distal point |
| The meridian system can be thought of as an | | | | (farthest from the site of the symptoms) is |
| energetic distribution network that in itself tends | | | | usually needled, as well as local points. A course of |
| toward an energetic manifestation. Many charts | | | | treatment is generally required, although results of |
| and graphs exist that show the meridian | | | | a single treatment may sometimes be immediate |
| pathways of the body. | | | | and dramatic. |
| Another feature that is always present on a | | | | Acupuncture theory includes a system of |
| meridian chart of the human body is the specific | | | | differentiating disease patterns and the level of |
| points that are marked upon the individual channel | | | | the problem in the body. If the client is suffering a |
| or meridian. These specific points are known as | | | | lot of pain problems on the exterior of the body |
| acupoints. Some channels appear to have many | | | | and/or an acute condition then the problem is |
| points distributed along them, some have fewer; | | | | considered a channel problem (meaning more |
| some points are grouped closely together and | | | | superficial). Acupuncture at this level moves stuck |
| others more distantly. These acupoints along the | | | | qi, clears stagnation and expels external |
| meridian channels can be thought of as access | | | | pathogenic factors. Local and distal points may be |
| points to the flow of qi, or energy, in the body. | | | | used and the results are often seen quickly. |
| The idea of Qi flow in the body could be thought | | | | If the client is suffering more chronic and long |
| of as a river. A river has a source and it follows | | | | term problems, then the condition is considered to |
| its course ultimately toward the ocean. As the | | | | be an organ or Zang fu disharmony. The situation |
| river flows it will vary from shallow to deep, quick | | | | may be one of excess or deficient energy, or |
| flowing to slow flowing, while always following the | | | | perhaps both, and the points selected will be |
| most ‘natural’ path. If we use this | | | | dictated by the situation and the organs effected. |
| analogy of a river, we can think about a whirlpool | | | | A combination of both channel problems and |
| in that river and consider how the whirlpool effect | | | | organ disharmony can also be treated at one time |
| draws everything down into the heart of the | | | | but priorities must be set. Excess conditions are |
| river. This whirlpool is a vortex that gives access | | | | usually treated before a deficiency condition and |
| to the depth of the river at this point. We can | | | | problems of a dual or complex nature are often |
| consider acupuncture points as ‘energy | | | | treated with other modalities as well as |
| vortices’ that draw Qi into or out of the | | | | acupuncture, such as herbal medicine or tui na |
| body’s energy flow and provide access points | | | | massage. |
| at which the Qi flow of the body can be directly | | | | |