Acupuncture and Tui Na

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been practiced in China & other Eastern countries for many thousands of years.

It is a system of healing which focuses on improving the holistic well being of the patients, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms.

According to traditional Chinese philosophy our health is dependent on the free flow of Qi (energy) moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of pathways beneath the skin throughout the body.

The free flow of Qi throughout the body can be disturbed by a number of factors including;

• Emotional states such as; stress; anger, fear, worry and grief,
• Poor nutrition
• Weather conditions
• Hereditary factors
• Infections
• Excessive exercise or excessive rest.
• The stresses & strains of modern day living

The skill of the acupuncturist lies in their ability to make a traditional diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony.

How Acupuncture Works

By inserting fine needles into these pathways of energy the acupuncturist promotes the body’s own healing responses & helps restore natural balance of mind, body & soul.

What is Tui Na?

Tui Na – Chinese Medical Massage shares the same eminence as Acupuncture; Herbal Medicine & Qi Gong, it being one of these four main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Tui Na is the 1st choice of treatment for infants & children

It is as essential for The Tui Na practitioner to have a clear understanding of the rationale of Chinese Medicine as it is for an Acupuncturist or a practitioner of Chinese Herbal Medicine. To learn massage alone would be like teaching an Acupuncturist to insert a needle & no more. Tui Na is used for internal illnesses as well as musculoskeletal ailments, in order for this to be achieved the practitioner must have a thorough understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in order to diagnose according to its principles.

“Chinese Medicine is energetic form of medicine rather than a mechanistic form of medicine. If energy is not flowing freely through the body it stagnates, requiring the Tui Na practitioner to restore the smooth flow of energy. If the energy within the body is deficient then the practitioner needs to strengthen it” -Sarah Pritchard.

The treatment will include a wide range of manual techniques enabling change in energy to take place in different areas & in different ways in the body. A combination of both Acupuncture & Tui Na may be given as part of the treatment.

Lifestyle & dietary advice may also be given in order to maintain the smooth flow of energy & create balance & harmony throughout the body. Small & simple changes can often bring about surprisingly noticeable improvements.