Acupuncture is part of the natural medical system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); TCM has a recorded history dating back over 3000 years, during this time it has continued to develop into a well renowned and effective form of medicine that is today practised throughout the world and is recognised by the World Health Organisation.
The TCM view of the body is that it is a whole inter-related organism that is influenced by many factors such as emotions, food, hereditary tendencies and the environment and that no one function of the body is separate, if this inter-connectedness is in harmony the body is balanced and there is health. Disease occurs when there is disharmony and imbalance in the body.
The human body has pathways of energy flowing through it called meridians; these meridians connect and transport nourishment and information to all tissues and organs. Imbalances disrupt and interfere with the flow of energy in these meridians leading to pain, weakness and illness.
Acupuncture treatment is based not only on the disease manifestation but the underlying cause of the disharmony; this holistic approach to treatment enables a natural return to health by ensuring that the original cause of the problem is treated and not just the symptoms.
Extremely fine sterile needles are inserted into specific points on the meridians in order to restore normal flow, stimulate and improve the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
The human body already “knows” how to heal itself, but sometimes it needs some help.
Extensive medical research over the last fifty years has shown that Acupuncture promotes the production of natural substances in the body vital to health, these include more white blood cells, a stronger immune system, better hormone regulation, increased endorphins (the bodies natural pain relief hormone), and has been shown to be able to elevate mood, increase energy and relax muscle spasm.
The Evidence Based Acupuncture Project
For more on the latest scientific research see link.
The evidence Based Acupuncture project was created to show the current state of knowledge about acupuncture, using the language of science.
Evidence Based Acupuncture – Better health through better information
Tuina
Tuina is the Traditional Chinese Medicine system of needle free treatment, it has three main aspects, Acupressure, Chinese joint adjustments and Massage all of these may be used alone or together to form a complete safe and effective treatment system.
Acupressure is based on the same fundamental principles as Acupuncture but no needles are used, instead various hand techniques are used. Acupressure may be used alone or in combination with acupuncture, Acupressure is commonly used on people afraid of needles or on young children.
Chinese Osteopathy is a system of manipulations used reduce pain, free up and lubricate joints that have degenerated or been injured.
Herbal Medicine
Natural herbal medicine may be used as part of the treatment in order to supplement the body’s functions. Various plant extracts are combined together to make a herbal formula, most commonly taken in pill form. These herbal formulas are of the highest quality and are manufactured from “A” grade herbs according to both Australian and China national GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standards and are licensed and inspected by the Australian Health Department.
Tai Chi Qi Gong
Qi Gong (Chi Gong) translated it means “energy work” it is regarded by many as the highest level of healing, the purpose of Qi gong is to assist the body’s natural self balancing and self healing ability by adjusting internal energy with one’s mind/consciousness, intention and breathing. Qi Gong practice is completely self sufficient as no equipment is needed, all the work is done with the mind, the breath and some gentle movement. Qi Gong uses the body by moving it, it uses the breath by concentrating it and directing it in specific ways and it uses the mind/consciousness and intention by focusing it to achieve relaxation and to move energy.
One to one or small group (up to 4 people) Qi gong healing and/or lessons are available, please contact us if your are interested. $90 plus additional $10 extra per person.
I am also available for larger group lessons/healing by arrangement.
If you would like to make an appointment please call/text us on 021-1823767, or if you require more information you may email us at info@taupoacupuncture.co.nz
Wang, Shao-jun, Jiao-jiao Zhang, Li-li Qie, and Shao-Jun Wang. “Acupuncture relieves the excessive excitation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis function and correlates with the regulatory mechanism of GR, CRH and ACTHR.”
H. Zhao, Z. Tian, Y. Feng, B. Chen, Circulating estradiol and hypothalamic corticotrophin releasing hormone enhances along with time after ovariectomy in rats: effects of electroacupuncture. Neuropeptides. 2005;39(4):433-438
L. P. Li, J. J. Lan, J. S. Hua, Z. R. Sun, Effect of acupuncture at points “baihuitaichong” on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in the chronic mild unpredictable stressors depression rats. Acta Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology. 2006;34:52-53
D. W. Sun, L. Wang, Influence of acupuncture on HPAA in a rat model of chronic stress-induced depression. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 2007;26:32-34
H. Xu, Z. R. Sun, L. P. Li, Effects of acupuncture on the hypothalamuspituitary-adrenal axis in the patient of depression. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion. 2004;24:78-80.
S. J. Wang, H. Y. Yang, G. S. Xu, Acupuncture alleviates colorectal hypersensitivity and correlates with the regulatory mechanism of TrpV1 and p-ERK. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;483123.
R. P. Liu, J. L. Fang, P. J. Rong, Y. Zhao, H . Meng, H. Ben, L. Li, Z. X. Huang, X. Li, Y. G. Ma, B. Zhu, Effects of electroacupuncture at auricular concha region on the depressive status of unpredictable chronic mild stress rat models. Evidence-Based mComplementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;789674.
Point specificity in acupuncture. Chinese Medicine 2012, 7:4, Emma M Choi, Fang Jiang, John C Longhurst. Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine CA.
A PET-CT study on specificity of acupoints through acupuncture treatment on migraine patients. Jie Yang, Fang Zeng, Yue Feng, Li Fang, Wei Qin, Xuguang Liu, Wenzhong Song, Hongjun Xie , Ji Chen, Fanrong Liang.
Author Affiliations:
Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China.
PET-CT center, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Shen Q et al. Clinical Observation of Acupuncture plus Moxibustion for Chemoradiotherapy-induced Leukopenia [J]. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 2017, 36(4).
Nobuo Yamaguchi et. al. Acupuncture Regulates Leukocyte Subpopulations in Human Peripheral Blood, Department of Fundamental Research for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, University of Oriental Medicine, Kyoto, Japan, eCAM 2007;4(4)447–453
Yuan J, Zhou R., Effect of acupuncture on T-lymphocyte and its subsets from the peripheral blood of patients with malignant neoplasm [Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1993;18(3):174-7.
Wu, B. “Effect of Acupuncture on the Regulation of Cell-Mediated Immunity in Patients With Malignant Tumors.” Chen Tzu Yen Chiu. 1995. 20(3):67-7
Kono N, Kanda Y, Yamamoto R, Chizuka A, Suguro M, Hamaki T, Arai C, Matsuyama T, Takezako N, Miwa A, Togawa A. Prognostic significance of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor level in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a single center study in Japan. Department of Hematology, International Medical Center of Japan, Tokyo. Leuk Lymphoma. 2000 Mar;37(1-2):151-6.
Michael Francis Johnston1, Elizabeth Ortiz Sánchez2, Nikola L. Vujanovic3,* and Wenhui Li4,* Acupuncture May Stimulate Anticancer Immunity via Activation of Natural Killer Cells.1Department of Medicine, University of California, 2Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 3University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Departments of Pathology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA and 4Department of Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA, eCAM Advance Access published online on February 1, 2010
“For every disease that afflicts mankind, there is a treatment or cure occurring naturally on the earth
Dr Norman Fansworth, pharmacologist
This page was last updated 10/03/2022