Acupuncture a Brief History       

Acupuncture & Moxabustion have been used in the Far East to restore, promote and maintain good health for over 5000 years. The first Acupuncture needles were made from stone, and then later from bronze, gold and silver. The first known medical account of acupuncture was The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen), which dates from around 300 BC.

Acupuncture is rooted in the Daoist philosophy of change, growth, balance and harmony, and The Yellow Emperor's Classic outlines the principles of natural law and the phases of life - yin and yang, the five elements, the organ system and the meridian network along which the vital acupuncture points are located.

These records also contain details of pathology and physiology, which some 2,000 years later provide the theoretical foundation for acupuncture today.

Although acupuncture is used far more extensively in China than in the West the last few decades have seen huge growth in people seeking the benefits of this safe and highly effective treatment

How Acupuncture Works

The ancient Chinese believed that there is a universal life energy called “Chi” present in all things ranging from infinitely tiny molecules to living breathing human beings.

This Chi is said to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways or meridians. As long as this energy flows freely throughout the meridians, health is maintained, but once the flow of energy is blocked, the homeostatic system is disrupted resulting in pain or illness.

Visualize if you will, rivers that flood and cause disasters or an electrical grid short-circuiting that causes blackouts etc. this is what happens to our somatic and spiritual landscapes when our Chi is not flowing harmoniously.

Insertion of Acupuncture needles in specific points on the Chi meridians works to restore normal functions and achieve balance for the body & mind.

Moxabustion (warming therapy) involves burning a warm herbal mixture either directly on the Acupuncture needle or indirectly by use of a Moxa stick which can be kept a few centimeters away from the patient.

The purpose of Moxabustion therapy is the application of heat to certain Acupuncture points, which will assist in the expulsion of cold, damp and also alleviate pain

Acupuncture Styles

As stated earlier, Acupuncture originally developed in China several thousand years ago.  However, this incredible, natural system of healing has also been introduced to many other countries and cultures over the millennia and indecently has evolved into several highly effective medical systems.

Some of the main Acupuncture systems used today are:

• 5 Element Acupuncture
• 8 Principle Acupuncture
• Auricular Acupuncture
• Microsystem Acupuncture
• Japanese Acupuncture
• Korean Acupuncture
• European Acupuncture
• Medical Acupuncture

Blue Heron Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ard Ri House
Lower Abbeygate Street
Galway
091 895748
Email: info@blueheronacupunctureonline.com