The Difference Between Chinese And Western Acupuncture

By Author: Acubody Therapies
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Many people are drawn to the potential benefits of acupuncture today, whether this is for pain relief or as an alternative treatment for various ailments and illnesses. Despite this, many also find it difficult to actually understand how it works, and its relation to Chinese methods of acupuncture treatment.

Some initial thoughts

The completely uninitiated will at least have a vague idea about traditional Chinese medicine and how acupuncture is a process of inserting tiny needles into the skin. However, the treatments that we use today in many health centres and alternative treatment centres across London and the rest of the UK are based on an entirely different understanding of the human body.

While the methods of treatment (with the same tiny needles) are indeed similar, the result of the process is understood to have a completely different effect on the body. The Chinese believed that the body was full of flowing energy, moving through the body and creating a kind of internal balance. Acupuncture was therfore a way of maintaining and managing these flows, repairing broken energy pathways and directing ...
... energy to areas which had been neglected. However, there is none of this belief in today’s usage of acupuncture.

Western acupuncture

Although acupuncture today is still outside of the strict realms of proven modern medicine and standardised health treatments used at certain hospitals, academics have discussed the nature of its healing affects and have a number of different explanations. None of which involve energy flow.

One way of viewing acupuncture through Western medicine’s teachings is that acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system, which in turn stimulates the body’s organs to release hormones.

A number of GPs and physiotherapies even use it as part of their daily treatment methods. However, it is not usually recommended as a complete alternative to modern medicines or treatments, especially for serious diseases or illnesses. Some even believe that the relaxing and potentially placebo effects of acupuncture are enough for it to be used as a treatment for certain issues.

Today, it is mainly GPs and physiotherapists who use acupuncture as an ‘add-on’ treatment for some conditions. However, for true believes in the wonders of acupuncture, it is a shame that acupuncture is considered a kind of ‘add-on’ treatment or relaxing spa treatment, as it does not allow it to have the full healing impact on a person and limits people’s perception of it as a credible methods of treatment that can be used for numerous conditions.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture

Traditional Acupuncture is a complete healthcare system based on ancient principles which dates back over 2,500 years. It is based on the idea that people are complex energetic beings, where qi or ‘chee’ (loosely meaning ‘energy’), blood and vital essences flow through the body and organs maintaining balance, health and overall wellbeing.

Acupuncturists typically focused less on particular symptoms, and more on imbalances and patterns of disharmony. Ultimately, this was a common way of addressing a person’s root causes of imbalance in a holistic approach that also acknowledges surroundings and environments, rather than symptoms alone. There are many places today that offer Chinese Acupuncture in London, as well as throughout Europe. can still be found.

Is it safe?

Many believe that acupuncture is an incredibly safe treatment. However, the concern that people have about the procedure is understood when it involves the insertion of so many sharp needles into the skin. Admittedly, this could cause discomfort or serious injury when performed incorrectly, but acupuncture is not a DIY treatment and practitioners are typically highly skilled and trained.

Anyone wishing to use this treatment must take it upon themselves to use only practitioners who are fully qualified and backed by their institutions or health centres. Using freelance or self-taught acupuncturists is not advised. When seeking an acupuncturist, also check whether they are a member of a professional acupuncture organisation and have professional liability insurance.

Acubody is a London-based health and treatment centre that offers a range of therapies such as Stress Acupuncture, based on Chinese Acupuncture in London, that help people overcome their ailments and improve their sense of wellbeing.