What makes a master?
The short answer is that it is all to do with experience, philosophy and ability.
The simple act of inserting a needle into an acupuncture point is far removed from mastery of the ancient art of acupuncture.
The use of an index of acupuncture points to determine which points to use is far removed from the science of acupuncture.
One must study the entire philosophy of acupuncture, the meridians and the flow of energy, qi. (pronounced chi). Once the basics have been digested, the interaction of points and the effects of treatment on certain "types"...and it goes on and on and on...Takes about 10 years! Minimum.
Medical Acupuncture
The western medical version of acupuncture is a short course that teaches a list of points for certain conditions. No theory or philosophy. Just the places to stick the needles.
Medical doctors can do such a course in a few afternoons and then tell their patients that they are an "acupuncturist"
Imagine that..."my doctor does acupuncture".
Seriously, how could you trust somebody with a few hours training when the "Masters" of acupuncture admit to taking years to achieve their skills?
If you have tried "medical acupuncture" with poor results, please consider trying the real thing..."Traditional Acupuncture".
Please...please, do not judge acupuncture by the lowest possible definition.
Less about the negative, more about the positive...
Seek a practitioner who practices a style of acupuncture that is totally based on Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and is utterly authentic.
Pulse diagnosis to confirm the diagnosis already derived from observation...not only what you say, but how you say it. Tone of voice, breath, inflection...and from what your posture and movement tells him/her...and from your colour and your smell and the look in your eyes and shape of your face and a few other things beside .
Acupuncture is wholistic (or holistic) the real wholistic, whole, the whole body...the whole of your health. Stupid word... "whole". BIG concept.
Back or neck pain, could be physical, could be kidneys. Headache or constipation, may be diet or emotional. Forget about the symptom, it is not the symptom that is treated, it is the cause and the constitutional or metabolic factors must be considered.
Painless natural childbirth, bloodless surgery, fertility, virility without viagra, pain relief, all that's new and amazing is really very, very old.
It's been around for 5,000 years or more, probably much more. The Chinese year is presently 4709 and they didn't start counting from day one!
Can you believe that a sophisticated system of health care was totally evolved thousands of years before Anglo-Saxons knew how to wipe their...noses?
And it was free!
Well, virtually free, it worked back-the-front to modern western medicine. The Tradtional Chinese Medicine system was "non-user" pays.
You paid when you were healthy, you paid to stay heathy and you stopped paying when you got sick.
Not just you, your whole family...clan...village! Imagine...patient gets crook, doctor suffers.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand...
If you are interested in the benefits of acupuncture but reluctant because of needle-phobia, (hey...who doesn't hate needles?) Don't worry! We use highest quality single use needles that are super fine. After 30 plus years of practice...gentle insertion techniques. Seriously, most people sleep through their treatment session, it is so relaxing!
Please don't confuse needle acupuncture with any of the many no-needle treatments. They have benefits and can sometimes be quite amazing, we use some non needle treatments in our practice, such as acupressure and "running the meridians", but the mode of action is different and "no-needle acupuncture" or "needle-free acupuncure" or laser acupuncture or "electric stimulation, electro-stim, micro-stim or any of the other no needle "acupuncture" treatments are not, can not be, acu-PUNCTURE. The system depends on the needle, like FM reception depends on that teensy little antenna. The chemical is adenosine, and it will only be released with penetrative stimulation.
Lots of people tell us they have had "aquapuncture". The mind boggles!
Scope of Acupuncture
Most "new patients" come to acupuncture for treatment of one of the conditions that are commonly known to be successfully treated, example: back pain, infertility, headaches, sporting injuries, nervous and muscular tension to name a few. The scope of this ancient treatment is actually far greater than generally imagined...
Acupuncture is more than treatment. In fact, "treatment" is the least of acupuncture.
Think of health as a state of wholeness and wellness with all body parts functioning at 100%.
The essence of acupuncture is restoring health.
Bringing the body back to 100% function.
It is all about balance.
This is a much bigger objective than easing a headache or getting rid of tennis elbow.
Acupuncture requires no belief or understanding on the patient's behalf.
It works even if you don't believe in it.
It works on people of all ages and veterinary applications have proven effective on cats and dogs, horses, apes and pigs. (There are even acupuncture charts for elephants, tree trunks for needles?)
and on an entirely related subject...
Cosmetic aspects of acupuncture
The Qi beauty Shen Facial is a cosmetic method using ancient Oriental techniques to improve the beauty and youthfulness of the face and body.
The Qi beauty Facial is more than a cosmetic procedure. It is a rejuvenation process designed to help the face and whole body to look and feel younger.
Cosmetic acupuncture is based on the philosophy of acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine.
According to acupuncture theory, the face expresses the nature of the heart spirit (Shen).
When our spirit is at peace, it shows through our face, in our eyes, and through our smiles.
A healthy Shen spirit promotes health and beauty and a glowing complexion. Acupuncture stimulates the flow of Qi and blood (especially to the face) thus improving circulation of blood and lymph. Many benefits such as nutrient uptake and waste disposal are achieved.
Acupuncture balances the meridians and energetic nature of the organs of your body and consequently harmonises body, mind and spirit allowing you to show your natural state of well-being.
In your first consultation a series of questions will be asked and a deep analysis of your skin will be conducted, as well as Chinese facial diagnosis and lifestyle analysis to gain the full Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis. The appropriate acupuncture zones are selected which will benefit your individual constitution.and any underlying imbalances. This will result in a natural and holistic approach to beauty and anti-ageing, not just a facial, not just a beauty treatment.
Much more...Qi beauty Shen is the facial that impacts upon your entire being.
