Acupuncture

• Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
• Health from a Chinese point of view
• What is the acupuncturist approach?
• Acupuncture helps with problems on three levels
• Acupuncture has effective treatments for

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

Chinese medicine has been successfully practiced in Europe for many years. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese nutrition, Tuina and Qi Gong.

Health from a Chinese point of view

The Chinese say that a person is healthy when Yin and Yang are in harmony and Qi can flow freely. Disease is understood as an excess or a deficiency on some level. This can be physical, mental or psychological in nature. In Chinese medicine, the person is regarded as a unity of body, mind and soul which are inextricably linked. Disease on a physical level impacts the psyche, just as a psychological burden will eventually reflect on our physical well being.

What is the acupuncturist approach?

The first consultation includes a in-depth case history. In the first 90 minutes we piece together a comprehensive and holistic picture of the patient. How is this person anchored in life, what are their strengths and weaknesses? Are they able to unfold their potential? What is the context of their symptoms? On what level can we support them?

During the first evaluation, we try to understand the basic constitution of a person in terms of the five element theory of types, i.e. wood, fire, earth, metal, water. The dominant element-type is the key to health.

This fascinating theory of the five elements is well documented in "The Power of Transformation" by Marian Leuthold, an understandable introduction to the Teachings of Five Element of Acupuncture.

In order to asses your personal well being and to understand if the symptoms and complaints are of a physical, mental or spiritual nature, we use the so-called five tests: ask, see, smell, hear and touch.

• Ask: we ask not only about the symptoms, but also about the general well-being at work, in the family and in the partnership. Body functions, food aversions and desires, recreation and climate.

• See: we study the location of the complaints, looking at skin shades, lesions and tones. We examine the tongue, the eyes and the colour of the face.

• Hear: we listen carefully to what the patients tells us, and pay attention also to the tone of the voice.

• Smell: strange as it may sound, the body odour of a person can say much about his condition and about the functioning of the organs.

• Touch: finally, we feel the 12 pulses and palpate the abdomen, during which we take the temperature, check muscle tone, pain and tension on the hara-level.

The chosen path of treatment is based on the five element and physical diagnosis. For this purpose, very fine, sterile needles are inserted into specific points on the meridians (energy channels which run from the organs to the surface of the body). The meridians cover the body like a net. In these meridians flows our life force, known as Qi. Stimulation of the acupuncture points with needles, cupping or moxa, resolves blockages allowing the free flow of energy in body, mind and soul. There is an overall feeling of well-being and an alleviation of disease.

The therapy sessions, after the first evaluation, usually last 50 - 60 minutes. Preferred treatment sessions are 5 times at weekly intervals after which the treatment frequency and duration of therapy is adjusted depending on the health levels achieved by the patient.

The goal of the acupuncture treatment is always that the person is balanced on all levels so that he can fully use his potential and stay healthy.

Acupuncture helps with problems on three levels:

Physical level

• musculoskeletal pain, especially chronic, intractable-, therapy resistant problems
• stomach / intestinal pain, in particular irritable bowel syndrome, unclear, vague discomfort, nausea, belching
• all chronic and recurrent diseases such as headaches, bladder infections, sinusitis, irritable bladder, gallstones, heart/ cardiovascular diseases
• climacteric complaints such as sweating, trouble sleeping, depression
• gynecological problems such as PMS, menstrual irregularities and infertility issues
• men’s health, premature ejaculation, infertility, impotence
• fatigue, discomfort after surgery
• dizziness

Mental, intellectual level

• difficulty concentrating
• thought disorder
• forgetfulness, retention- memory loss

Spiritual, psyche level

• sleep disorders
• emotional imbalances such as excessive anger, fear, jealousy, sorrow, sadness
• test anxiety, inner nervousness, hyperactivity
• lack of energy, lethargy, listlessness
• depression, burn out syndrome
• eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, compulsive eating
• support for smoking cessation, weight control

Acupuncture has effective treatments for

Children
From baby to young people. Shonishin pediatric acupuncture, the Japanese art of healing, is adequate for babies and toddlers. Shonishin is a completely painless and often surprisingly fast-acting medicine. More information www.akupunktur-shonishin.ch

Adolescents and adults
People with physical, mental or psychological disorders.
People without symptoms who want to stay healthy.
The constitutional five element acupuncture is an excellent preventative medicine.
Let us not forget: It's easier to stay healthy than trying to get healthy!

Athletes
Professional athletes and amateur athletes with ambitions.
Preparing for a competition on the mental and energy level (see details under Sport Support, Mental Coaching , and www.sportler-coaching.ch).

Marian Leuthold
Accredited Acupuncturist