Acupuncture has been used in China for more than 2500 years. It is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which involves the insertion of very fine needles into the specific points on the body to “Re-balance” the flow of the body’s energy.

Energy is called “QI” pronounced ‘chi’ in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and it flows through pathways called Channels or meridians. It should flow in a free , unobstructed way around the body.-much like your blood should move freely. If it does not if there is a blockage – then illness may result. The body is like a machine and can adopt to a lot of stress and poor condition – but only for so long.

Disease is likely to result if any warnings are ignored . The Acupuncturist, by stimulating needles in certain ways can help get the “Qi” moving again and promote a healthy environment within the body . The overriding aim is to restore balance.

Acupuncture should not be a painful treatment. Often people are surprised when they realise the needles have been put in . They are usually left for about 20 minutes during which time the patient has time to relax. The Acupuncturist may stimulate the needles manually or with a slight electric current to ensure that the correct effect is achieved. Balanced and normal function of the body’s system is the aim of the treatment.

Origins : 
The ancient Chinese developed a system to cure specific ailments. This resulted in a form of rejuvenation through self-massage. Eventually, the Chinese evolved a system of diagnosis and treatment for a more complete medical approach. Combining centuries of observation and experimentation, with energy theory and points, this developed into theories involving acupressure, acupuncure, omoxibustion (using heat on acupunture points), and herbology.

The meeting of Chinese medicine with Japanese medicine resulted in certain techniques from which Shiatsu emerged. Shiatsu, a rhythmic series of finger pressure over the entire body along the energetic meridians, also includes stretching and tapping. From the early 1900’s these techniques developed further. From Jin shin Jyutsu to Jitsu. Then Jin Shin Do, they were incorporated and used in the West more and more. Today these have blossomed into several individualised forms, some of which have been trademarked.

How Does it Work?
The purpose of Acupressure is to stimulate the body’s own recuperative powers by stimulating the various points on the body or musculature. The stimulation removes energy blockages by diffusing the toxic build up that accumulates in the muscle tissue. This accumulation causes stiffness throughout the body. Stiffness in the muscles puts abnormal pressure on nerves, and blood and lymph vessels that in turn affect both skeletal systems and internal organ functioning. By holding and working sore points, muscle flexibility can be restored.

According to the Chinese system of medicine, there are specific pathways of energy that circulate through the body. These pathways, called meridians are like the body’s energy highway system. Most people are considered healthy when these pathways are open and energy flows unhindered. In the case of these pathways being blocked, proper application of finger pressure can loosen muscular tension, send the blood circulating, and stimulate or balance the flow of energy.

Healthy bodies depend on the smooth and effective operation of a finely tuned, complex system of bones and joints controlled by muscles and co-ordinated by nerves. Changes in the subtle balance of this neuro-musculo-skeletal system can result in altered flexibility and mobility, disturbance of blood supply and drainage and dysfunction of the nervous system. Such changes are most commonly the effects of the physical strain or injury, but may be caused by aspects of lifestyle or psychological stress.

Osteopathy is concerned with maintaining and restoring the equilibrium of this system. Detail and thorough patient examination, diagnosis and treatment involving the use of highly developed palpatory skills allows osteopaths to deal with a wide variety of conditions that respond to the manual osteopathic technique. The range of such conditions is wider than commonly supposed. For example some kinds of headache, asthma and other conditions not apparently connected with the musculo-skeletal system can benefit considerably from osteopathic treatment. Some of the discomfort experienced by women during and after pregnancy can be treated with great success.

In a typical treatment, the osteopath will use a carefully selected combination of specific techniques including relaxation of relevant muscles and gentle work on joints to improve range of movement. Each treatment is individually devised according to the practitioner’s findings and patient’s needs. As the osteopath takes an interest in the patient’s way of life, work and other activities, advice may be given on how to modify lifestyle to prevent further problems. In addition, exercises for the patients to follow at home may be suggested to involve the patient in the healing process. The majority of the patients will receive maximum benefit from five to seven treatments. Others will need to continuing attention to maintain a satisfactory level of mobility and relief of pain. Occasionally a patient will only need to attend once.

A primary health care profession specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. Chiropractic comes from ‘cheiro’ and ‘practos’ meaning… hand, and to move, literally ‘done by hand’. Treatment is usually, but not solely , by means of manipulation. Although chiropractors usually treat biomechanical problems, they can also have an effect on visceral disorders.

When did it start?

United States 1890’s DD Palmer ” rediscovered a form of manipulation and christened it chiropractic, founding the first college in Iowa. It has grown since then with 55,000 chiropractors in the USA, about 450 in the UK and probably 90 – 100, 000 world wide. The philosophy of chiropractic.

That the body has the capability of healing itself, and it is what we do to ourselves that interferes with this innate ability. Chiropractors use their skills and techniques to help restore that function.

How does it work:

There are several theories currently being researched , the general view is that the chiropractic adjustment works on two levels , firstly to mobilize specific joints to increase their range of motion , and secondly , to use the joint proprioceptors to put energy into the nervous system affecting the function of the autonomic nervous system which in turn will change autonomic reflexes , in other words, changing the way the body is looking after itself.

What kind of problems can chiropractic treat

Generally, most of our work is with bio-mechanical disorders, such as joint pains, low back or neck pain. If you like, we are the engineers of the body. However, because We affect the automatic reflexes with our treatment, we can some organic problems, ranging from migraine to asthma and colic in new born babies to giving pain relief in terminally ill patients . The most important point to remember is that we are trained to recognize that sometimes chiropractic treatment is not appropriate or even contraindicated and we then will refer you to the relevant specialist for further investigation.