Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Clinic, Norfolk
Willow Farm Clinic offers Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine in a natural healthcare practice, set in the quiet Norfolk countryside, near Norwich.
The Chinese healing art of acupuncture is one that can be dated back at least two thousand years. Some authorities maintain that acupuncture has been practiced in China for even four thousand years. Though its exact age is vague, what is certain is that up until the recent twentieth century, much of the population of the world was uninformed about acupuncture, its origins, and its capacity to promote and maintain good health.
Acupuncture Worldwide
Even today in relatively “advanced” nations such as the United Kingdom there are many who hold acupuncture under the stereotype of a new radical medicine, one which would almost always be a second choice after more familiar Western approaches to handling illness. One of the most important concepts of Chinese Medicine is that of natural balance. From this idea of balance arises the fundamental theory of Yin and Yang.
According to this theory, life takes place in the alternating rhythm of Yin and Yang. Day gives way to night, night to day; a time of light and activity (Yang) is followed by darkness and rest (Yin). Flowers open and close, the moon waxes and wanes, the tides come in and go out; we wake and sleep, breathe in, breath out.
Yin and Yang is a constant, continual flow through which everything is expressed on the one hand and recharged on the other. They are an inseparable couple. Their proper relationship is health; a disturbance in this relationship is disease.
What is acupuncture?
On the most basic of levels, acupuncture can be described as the insertion of very fine needles (sometimes in combination with electrical stimulus or with heat produced by burning specific herbs, called Moxibustion) into the skin at specific acupuncture points in order to influence the functioning of the body.
Traditionally, there are 365 acupoints on the body, most of which have a specific energetic function. Some are the meeting of meridian pathways while others are junctions with an internal pathway of the meridian. Some points tend to move qi (vital energy) towards the interior of the body while others bring energy to the surface. The choice of acupuncture points varies from patient to patient and from treatment to treatment and relies on very careful diagnoses of different kinds.
How is the diagnosis made?
Diagnosis entails the observation of the body through looking, palpation (touching), smelling and listening. Conventional methods are also used. One of the primary and fundamental diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine is pulse taking, which is far more intricate than pulse taking in the West. A study of your tongue will also be made.
How does it work?
Scientists have no real answer to this; as you know, many of the workings of the body are still a mystery. There are a few prevailing theories. Historically, acupuncture points were believed to be holes that allow entry into channels. These holes provide us gateways to influence, redirect, increase, or decrease the body’s vital substance, qi, thus correcting many of the imbalances. Many studies and research were directed since to understand the mechanism of acupuncture.
What are the needles like?
The needles used within this clinic are sterile, disposable (only used once) and extremely thin.
What will I feel?
The sensation you will feel when being needled is generally fairly minimal. In some styles of acupuncture you will feel a heavy or distended feeling indicating the arrival of qi.
How long will the treatment last?
After the needles are inserted you are usually left to rest for a period of 10-45 minutes. Most people feel fairly relaxed during this period and many simply fall asleep.
What other techniques might be part of my treatment?
Acupuncture is simply one facet of oriental medicine. Within an acupuncture treatment an acupuncturist may choose to utilise various adjunctive techniques depending on your condition.
These techniques may include:
- Electro-acupuncture – the acupuncture needles are stimulated with an electric charge delivered from a machine.
- Moxibustion- this involves the burning of a herb – Artemesia Vulgaris – either on the top of a needle or on the skin directly. This is often used in patients who are suffering with cold or stagnant conditions.
- Cupping - this involves the use of glass cups which are placed on the body with suction to help remove toxins and muscle tension.
- Manipulation (Tui Na) – this is essentially massage that is targeted towards the meridians and acupuncture points.
What is the scope of acupuncture?
Medical acupuncture is a system which can influence three areas of health care:
- Promotion of health and well-being
- Prevention of illness
- Treatment of various medical conditions
While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of a well-trained practitioner it has much broader applications. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the support or adjunct to other medical treatment forms in many medical and surgical disorders. The World Health Organization recognises the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including:
- Digestive disorders
- Respiratory disorders
- Neurological and muscular disorders
- Urinary, menstrual, & reproductive problems
