It is still used in China as a form of medicine in it’s own right, as well as being used along-side Western medicine. It has been adapted, researched and refined to form its current modern practice all over the world. The World Health Organisation lists a range of conditions for which it can be used to treat successfully. In Chinese medicine good health is said to be when the whole body and mind is in balance and the qi, or energy, is flowing smoothly throughout the bodies pathways, known as meridians. It is when this smooth flow is disrupted and becomes unbalanced, erratic or blocked that ill health, pain and emotional upset occurs. The holistic approach of acupuncture is based on gathering information of all signs and symptoms, diet and lifestyle factors and emotional and personal features specific to the person, allowing an individualised diagnosis and care plan to be made. By inserting fine needles into specific points in the body, the qi can be stimulated and encourage the body to restore its own natural harmony and balance.
