Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a style of traditional medicine built on a foundation
of more than 2,500 years of Chinese medical practice that includes various form of : Herbal
Medicine, Acupuncture, Massage (Tui Na), Exercise (Qi Gong) and, Dietary Therapy.
TCM is widely used in Greater China (has long been the standard system of medicine) and
becoming increasingly popular and recognized worldwide (primarily approached as
alternative medicine).
On this paper, I would like to inform to you one of TCM practice, is the Acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a family of procedures involving the stimulation of specific points on the
body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture techniques that has been most often
studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metal needless into
superficial structures of the body (skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles) – usually at
acupuncture points (acupoints) – and their subsequent manipulation by the hands or by
electrical stimulation; this aims at influencing the flow of qi (a vital energy that flows through
the body, performs multiple function in maintaining health). According to the TCM it
relieves pain and treats (and prevents) various diseases.
Acupuncture is often accompanied by Moxibustion （ haha or haha ） which involves
burning mugwort on or near the skin at an acupuncture point.
The conclusions of many trials and numerous system reviews of acupuncture are largely
inconsistent, which suggest that is not effective. An overview of Cochrane reviews found that
acupuncture is not effective for a wide range of condition. A systematic review found little
evidence of acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating pain. The evidence suggest that short-term
treatment with acupuncture does not produce long-term benefits. Some research results
suggest acupuncture’s can alleviate pain, through the majority of research suggest that
acupuncture’s effects are mainly due to the placebo effect.
A meta-analysis found that acupuncture for chronic low back pain was cost-effective as an
adjunct to standard care, while a systematic review found insufficient evidence for the cost-
effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic low back pain.
Acupuncture is generally safe when done by an appropriately trained practitioner using clean
needle technique and single-use needles. When properly delivered, it has a low rate of mostly
minor adverse effects. Accidents and infections are associated with infraction of sterile
technique or neglect of the practitioner.
In the west, we tend to think of "medicine" as a way of dealing with illness and disease. In
contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on achieving health and wellbeing
through the cultivation of harmony within our lives.
TCM is based on the Chinese concept of "Qi" (pronounced "chee" and usually translated as
"vital energy") and the theory of "yin and yang" (the harmony of all the opposite elements
and forces that make up existence). It believes that:
Harmony brings health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
Disharmony leads to illness, disease, and collapse.
FIVE ELEMENT ACUPUNCTURE
One of the major systems of thought within Traditional Chinese Medicine is 5 Element
Acupuncture. Based on the five elements of nature: fire, earth, metal, water and wood, 5
Element Acupuncture has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a method of
diagnosis and treatment for over two thousand years. Sometimes referred to as the “Five
Phase” theory, it is believed the five elements represent our controlling and creative energies.
Ideally, all five of these elements should be in balance.
Not all acupuncturists use or incorporate 5 Element Acupuncture into their treatments.
Our licensed Chicago acupuncturist Sunae Son is one who does. This is what she says about
practicing acupuncture with regards to the 5 elements. . .
“In theory, we develop symptoms/diseases when these elements become unbalanced.
Treatment involves transferring energy from one element to another creating balance again.
Classical 5 Element Acupuncture can be a very effective system to use in conjunction with
Traditional Chinese Medicine. Determining a patient’s constitutional factor can be helpful
with treatment by understanding why certain symptoms affect you and how to create better
balance for a healthier future.”
How Five Element Acupuncture Works
The 5 element Acupuncturist begins assessing the patient’s condition by evaluating sense
organs, tissue, color, taste and emotion. This will enable the acupuncturist to determine the
particular element an individual represents and to formulate a personalized treatment plan.
As far as nature allows, this ancient Five Phase system aids the mind, body and soul in
healing themselves. Rather than merely sweeping symptoms under the carpet, 5 Element
Acupuncture deals with the underlying causes of a disease aiming to prevent recurrence in the
future. Five Element acupuncture deals with your condition by restoring the overall balance
of your energy. In this way, it may also be used as a preventive measure.
The world around us is governed by the same universal force that governs our mind, body
and soul. The same cycles of change manifested in the seasons of the year influence us. The
ways in which the elements and their associated components interact is explained by the
cycles within the Five Element theory.
The five elements work closely together and have their own set of characteristics. Following
is a chart illustrating these characteristics.
Who can Benefit from 5 Element Acupuncture
In our practice, 5 Element Acupuncture has been shown to be most helpful in treating chronic
conditions. But it can prove beneficial for almost everyone, especially those suffering with
anxiety, digestive problems, IBS, chronic stress, sleep disturbances, TMJ and emotional
imbalances, as well as many other concerns.
One of the most complex systems in traditional Chinese medicine, 5 Element Acupuncture
can take years, if not decades, to fully understand. This introductory article cannot begin to
touch on all that is encompassed within the practice of 5 Element Acupuncture.
Type of acupuncture :
Auricular Acupuncture Points were developed over 3000 years ago in China as part of
the traditional acupuncture already in practice, but over time some modifications occurred.
After its origination in China, auricular acupuncture spread to other areas of Asia before
being introduced to Europe and later in the United States. In the 1950’s Dr. Paul Nogier of
France developed several new French auricular points in addition to the original Chinese
points. He also developed the acupuncture ear chart or acupuncture map (see photo) that is
used currently today and includes the location of both Chinese and French auricular
acupuncture points.
Auricular Acupuncture: A Health Care Alternative for Many Ailments
Acupuncture ear points are commonly used in conjunction with a regular acupuncture
treatment but can also be used alone (so you would just have needles or seeds on your ear).
Ear points can be used on one or both ears as recommended by Sunae Son, your licensed
acupuncturist in Andersonville. Auricular acupuncture points are located on the outer ear
surface (points are never inserted into the ear canal). These points correspond to other areas
of the body as represented on the acupuncture ear chart. Auricular acupuncture is thought to
work by sending electrical impulse messages to the brain. Ear acupuncture can help treat
addiction, detoxifying the body and alleviate symptoms from anxiety, depression, insomnia,
ADHD, weight loss, smoking cessation and pain control.
Auricular Acupuncture Study and Research
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2007 Auricular Acupuncture
Treatment for Insomnia: systematic review stated “The rate of success was higher when
Auricular Acupuncture was used for enhancement of sleeping hours up to 6 hours in
treatment subjects.”
The International Anesthesia Research Society titled Auricular Acupuncture: A potential
treatment for anxiety shows “auricular acupuncture at the ‘relaxation’ point can decrease the
anxiety level in a population of healthy volunteers.”
Ear Seeds / Ear Beads
Ear seeds or ear beads are typically used following a treatment to reinforce and create longer
relief, these ear acupressure points can be pressed to reactivate the point after the treatment
and removed by the patient in 5-7 days. The ear beads are made out of either stainless steel or
ear seeds from a small seed of the vaccaria plant and are secured by a small piece of adhesive
tape.
How Does Electroacupuncture Work?
Modern battery-powered machines like the ones used in our office are quite small. The
machine and it’s acupuncture needles are inter-linked with the help of small clips attached to
wires. When the electrical current is activated, a mild thumping, or wave like sensation,
which has been likened to that of a feather stroking the skin may be felt. A number of
different frequencies and wave forms might be employed during electroacupuncture
treatment, with the duration of the electrical current varying according to the patients
condition.
How Does Electroacupuncture Differ from Traditional Acupuncture?
During electroacupuncture treatment the same target points are stimulated as in traditional
acupuncture procedures (except in instances where electroacupuncture is used in conjunction
with Dry Needling), needles are still inserted at specific target points along the body’s
meridians. But in electroacupuncture, two needles are employed at the same time in order to
pass the electrical impulse from one needle to the other, (usually stimulating several pairs of
needles is possible for no longer than thirty (30) minutes at a time. The frequency and
intensity of these impulses are adjusted depending on the particular condition being treated.
What Conditions May Benefit from Electroacupuncture?
Several health problems can benefit from the help of electroacupuncture. This procedure is
frequently used to treat pain disorders, but it has many other advantages as well, including
providing results with Sports Injuries, Asthma, Viral Infections, Depression, Paralysis,
Eczema, Cancer, Kidney Stones, and many more Chronic Pain conditions.
Electroacupuncture is one of the many contemporary treatment tools derived from Traditional
Chinese Medicine that is available to today’s acupuncturist. Used with or without
acupuncture needles, electroacupuncture involves the application of small pulsating electrical
currents at specific target acupuncture points on the body in order to stimulate muscles and
nerves more efficiently.
How Does Electroacupuncture Work?
Modern battery-powered machines like the ones used in our office are quite small. The
machine and it’s acupuncture needles are inter-linked with the help of small clips attached to
wires. When the electrical current is activated, a mild thumping, or wave like sensation,
which has been likened to that of a feather stroking the skin may be felt. A number of
different frequencies and wave forms might be employed during electroacupuncture
treatment, with the duration of the electrical current varying according to the patients
condition.
How Does Electroacupuncture Differ from Traditional Acupuncture?
During electroacupuncture treatment the same target points are stimulated as in traditional
acupuncture procedures (except in instances where electroacupuncture is used in conjunction
with Dry Needling), needles are still inserted at specific target points along the body’s
meridians. But in electroacupuncture, two needles are employed at the same time in order to
pass the electrical impulse from one needle to the other, (usually stimulating several pairs of
needles is possible for no longer than thirty (30) minutes at a time. The frequency and
intensity of these impulses are adjusted depending on the particular condition being treated.
What Conditions May Benefit from Electroacupuncture?
Several health problems can benefit from the help of electroacupuncture. This procedure is
frequently used to treat pain disorders, but it has many other advantages as well, including
providing results with Sports Injuries, Asthma, Viral Infections, Depression, Paralysis,
Eczema, Cancer, Kidney Stones, and many more Chronic Pain conditions.
