Stress is a major issue in the modern world and it can be the catalyst for significant health problems.
It weakens your immune system, makes it hard to lose weight, contributes to early-ageing, and increases the chance of heart attacks, to name but a few of them. Modern medicine offers a variety of ways to address stress and anxiety. These can have serious side effects, and can be addictive. It therefore makes sense to look at the option of natural therapies which are free from side-effects, such as Acupuncture.
Whilst many people are aware that Acupuncture is a well documented and effective treatment for physical conditions like sciatica, or tennis elbow, fewer are aware of its long history of therapeutic use for psychological and emotional conditions, such as stress and anxiety.
According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), on which Acupuncture is based, the signs and symptoms of depression must be seen as part of the ‘bigger picture’ which includes not only thoughts and emotions but also physical and environmental factors.
TCM has never separated physical and mental health, and is based on the understanding that mind affects body, and body affects mind. For instance, you may have some physical symptoms such as lack of energy, palpitations, or poor digestion. These will form a part of the overall TCM diagnosis job is to determine the state of your Qi, and they do this with careful questioning and examination. They will also use a special method of pulse-taking at your wrist to help with this diagnosis.Then, a number of Acupuncture points will be chosen, probably around 6-10, in order to correct any problems with your Qi.
You may begin to notice some effect immediately, but a course of Acupuncture may be needed in order to make a really significant and lasting difference. My experience as an Acupuncturist is that everybody finds it a deeply relaxing experience, and no.., it really doesn’t hurt! at your Acupuncture consultation, along with other physical and emotional factors, so that the Acupuncturist can tailor a therapeutic plan to your own particular circumstances.
Additionally, in ‘Naturopathic Acupuncture’, which we teach at CNM, all students are educated about the importance of nutrition (no-one can handle stress successfully if they are nutrient deficient), and they are able to advise clients on developing healthy, sustainable lifestyles. This naturopathic or ‘holistic’ approach, which views the client as a whole person and addresses mental and physical health together, can promote not just overall health, but well-being.
With Acupuncture, tiny needles around the width of a hair, are gently inserted into specific points on the body in order to regulate the flow of ‘Qi’. Qi, denoting ‘energy’, refers to our life force. According to TCM principles, when you are healthy your Qi is strong, and flows smoothly, but if it becomes weak, or there are blockages in its flow, then you begin to experience poor health. When you see an Acupuncturist, their first
Acupuncturist Neil Kingham is a lecturer at CNM (College of
Naturopathic Medicine) www.naturopathy-uk.com
There are CNM Colleges across the UK, Ireland, South Africa and the USA. For further information visit www.naturopathy-uk.com or call 01342 410 505.
This sponsored post was brought to you by College CNM. This article featured in our Winter 2015 issue of Thrive Magazine. You can buy that full issue here.
