The fundamental difference of how Eastern and Western medicine perceive, understand and evaluate the body, health, and disease surrounds the concepts of Qi or Vital Energy. Both Eastern and Western medicine have accumulated vast amounts of information on the human body and its pathologies and have in their own rights a unique system of health maintenance. The primary foundation upon which all their theories, concepts, and facts have been built lies upon different mannerisms of observation, however. This is why we have very different health care systems although we treat the same people.

The conceptual framework of acupuncture and Chinese medicine evolved during the pre-industrial feudalistic era’s in Chinese history at least2000 years ago. Dissection of the body was not permitted on grounds of Confucian beliefs.

This evolved into cause and effect relationships within the context of wellness and disease. The unique system of medicine that resulted is defined not only by its ability, but also its requirement to encompass many different facets of a patient’s life in order to arrive at effective treatments. 

 Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are a complete and intact medical system that has been passed down from family to family, master to apprentice, and now from teacher to student. Through the refinement of the medicine directly from the successes and failures of hundreds of generations of practitioners acupuncture and Chinese medicine have endured and evolved for thousands of years. Simply because it works,but not equally for everything.

One of the greatest advancements for mankind came in the form of Western medicine especially beginning with the invention of the microscope and the development of germ theory. Technology allowed us for the first time to discover the intricate biological pathogenesis of disorders. The results have permeated through all levels of society giving us now an unprecedented advantage over many causes of suffering, pestilence and disease never before experienced by our species. Where drugs and surgery may not be the preferable first stage measure for healing for everyone they do play an important role for those whose bodies can no longer respond naturally to correct disease.

While differences do exist in the approach toward health and disease between Eastern and Western medicine, this better serves as a catalyst toward observation and understanding of the “human condition” than either medicine could do alone. After all we see the same patients with the same complaints, the same symptoms. There are strengths and weaknesses within both systems that are well known. For instance, if you break a bone surely you would go to the emergency room at your local hospital and not the waiting room of your local acupuncturist. In the same manner if you knew more on how to naturally strengthen your immunity over time how many illnesses and symptoms do you think you could be better off avoiding in the first place?

Preventative and allopathic medicine are just two different sides of the same coin. True progress will come only when there is cooperation and adequate communication between the two without the struggle of trying to find out who is “better”. After all, the common currency that is sought by both is the improved well being of the only thing that really matters in the first place, the patient.

 So what is Yin and Yang? The concept of Yin and Yang relates to a process of transformation between values of relatively opposite but not opposing natures. Used within the context of Chinese medicine, Yin and Yang describes our relationship and response to the internal and external enviroments around us. Commonly depicted as the black and white Yin and Yang circle, it provides a framework for an integral pillar of our understanding disease within the medicine. Its principles have helped foster the development, expansion, adoption, and adaptation of Acupuncture across all socio-economic and cultural boundaries world-wide.

We can sometimes find similarities between traditional and modern theories and ways of thinking. As an example there is the first law of Thermo-Dynamics which states that:

      In Quantum mechanics there are also recognized descriptions of the “wave-like and particle-like”interactions between energy and matter. The role of how unique and individual forces transform into each other is at the core of the meaning behind Yin and Yang. However, this does not cause any sort of disruption between forces but rather forms a delicate interdependence. This plays a pivotal role toward our understanding of the etiology of disease as in many cases there will be many facets of causality present.

The traditional Chinese view point of Yin and Yang revolves around the idea that problems arise not when two forces are in conflict with one another but instead when there is an imbalance between them in the environment. As an example we can use the values of hot and cold in Chinese medicine. All foods carry specific temperature natures. Chili peppers for example would more of a “hot” natured food vs. lets say watermelon which would have a more “cooling” effect on the body. With the abundance of food and of refrigeration we usually consume many different types of food on any given day. Everything we eat will have their accumulated effects on our bodies.

Now of course our constitutions will vary. We each have our own individual strengths and weaknesses but our body’s capacity to adapt to stress will be the baseline to our health constitution. For instance, patients with low immunity will invariably get sick more often than average. Our internal and external environments as well as our emotions affect the levels and strength of our Qi.

If a patient has a tendency to feel cold all the time even when they are in relatively good health they might be said to to exibit some symptoms of what in Chinese medicine would be called“Internal Cold”. Upon evaluation perhaps the practitioner would uncover that the patient indeed was consuming large quantities of fairly “cooling” foods. This could very well be the main catalyst of their pathology. This does not mean, however, that they should go out and consume large quanties of hot foods in order to feel better. This is what is meant in Yin and Yang as opposing but not opposite. Automatically consuming hot foods could very well make their condition much worse by aggravating the already weakened state of their constitution. Thus begins the ever downward spiral toward imbalance and disease until the time comes when the original causes of their first symptoms are addressed and treated. Chinese medicine is a complete medical system where a patient can experience total reversal of all symptoms.

A condition that was essentially caused by having too much “cold” in the body can gradually transform into its relative opposite, too much “heat”. Practitioners need to think within an ever fluctuating continuum of variables that surround a patient’s health condition. Yin and Yang represents not so much polar opposites but rather how the transformation between forces that are of themselves naturally in balance takes place. The resulting conditions represent how well the body can adapt to the change, and thus one step closer to either health or disease.

Actions of Acupuncture for Migraines 

1.Induces endogenous pain killers: endorphins.

2.Increases the secretion of serotonin.

3.Increases the activity of descending inhibitatory pathway from the midbrain to the spinal cord.

4.Relaxes the muscles and tendons.

5.Reduces the inflammation of nerves.

6.Prevents the over dilation and over constriction of blood vessels.

Actions of Acupuncture for Impotence 

1.Balances the nervous system.

2.Boosts the testosterone level.

3.Reduces stress.

4.Enhances sexual drive.

Compliments to Dr. Li Zheng at Acumagic.org for letting me use her material here!

Do you wake up feeling like some of your joints are stiff as a board? Has completing regular daily activities become more than just a chore? Does climbing stairs leave you not only tired but in discomfort and pain? Arthritis is one of the most common debilitating disorders seen in the United States with more than 100 different forms. If you are experiencing pain, stiffness or swelling from either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis perhaps receiving acupuncture for arthritis can help you also!

What is Arthritis?

With over 100 forms there are several common elements found in the condition of arthritis. Being musculoskeletal disorder there will be some degree of inflammation, pain and limited movement of the affected joint. The word arthritis itself means inflammation of a joint. A joint is the part of the body where two different bones meet and act’s as an “shock absorber” allowing for easy movements. The reasons for inflammation will vary according to what types of damage to the joint are occurring.

As seen with osteoarthritis there is usually a slow deterioration of the cartilage around the bone. The cartilage of a joint allows for smooth movement of the bones as they glide over one another during any type of motion. When this protective layer wears away there occurs crepidation or crepitus, the creaking or crackling of a joint as it moves. Inflammation of the joint can occur as the body attempts to protect the bones from grinding against one another.

In both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis there is damage to the joint. There are some differences, however, as far as the onset and development of symptoms. Early osteoarthritic symptoms may include a dull maybe burning pain that starts to occur after use of the joint. In the beginning this will be after extreme or extended use of the joint. As symptoms reoccur less use of the joint is required in order to produce pain. Wear and tear play a factor as the cartilage slowly erodes. Weight bearing joints(hip, knee, back) can be particularly affected by osteoarthritis.

In rheumatoid arthritis the body attacks itself. This is called an auto-immune disease. Inflammation begins in the synovium or joint lining. Whereas in osteoarthritis there is a very gradual process with ever worsening symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis the duration and intensity of symptoms will fluctuate between individuals. Periods of worsening symptoms are known as flareswhile times of relatively few problems are called remissions. Symptoms will occur on both sides of the body as the disorder is systemic as opposed to one side as seen with osteoarthritis. There will be more redness, swelling and sensations of heat. There may be moderate to severe loss of mobility and function often accompanied in the early stages with the feeling of stiffness in the joints upon awakening in the morning.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are the worlds oldest and most successful traditional medical system still in common use today.  It’s success is the direct result of it’s usefullness in achieving and sustaining quality health for millions of people around the world. Its renewed popularity, especially in the west, will test the adaptability of the medicine as the western mind grasps what are essentially eastern concepts of health and well being. It is a very exciting time!

So what is acupuncture?

Well I can tell you it is not just needles! Although acupuncture needles are great, no really they are. These are not the type of needles that you are thinking of right now if you have never recieved acupuncture. The dreaded hospital hyperdermic usually comes to mind for most. No nothing to be sqeamish about. We are not injecting you with anything or pulling any fluids out! Acupuncture needles are very thin, about twenty can fit in the tip of a hyperdermic needle. After a few sessions most people realize there is nothing to be scared of.

So coming back to the question of what is acupuncture? At the heart of the system there swings a pendulum between the patient and the practitioner with the participation of the patient in their own health care being one of the most valuable long term results.

In the “old” days in China doctors were only paid when their patients were healthy. When the patient got sick they were not required to pay the doctor anymore until they were healthy again. This worked out as it was always in the best interest of the physician to keep everyone as healthy and long as possible…….if they wanted their next paycheck!

In the same manner Chinese medicine understands that the patient is always the biggest factor in any long term recovery. This begins the process of sustainable change whereby the idea of preventative health can flourish, because the first step always begins with the patient. As a result this opens up the doorway to a deeper understanding and appreciation of some of the basic principles that acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been found Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are at least 2000 years years old and are based on Chinese cultural philosophies that are much older, some say around the way of 8000 years. One such philosophy is that of Taoism. The Tao literally means “the way” and in the context of acupuncture, the way to good health. The basic theme of Taoism is for man to live in harmony and balance between the often opposing forces of the natural world. By becoming part of the – rythm and flow – of the natural world you can balance the forces of Yin and Yang and will attain and maintain proper health.ed on. This new knowledge may be applied beyond the realms of medicine as well.

Acupuncture body points themselves were derived from millions of independent observations from practitioners as to their affects on the body. The modern biomedical model of western research confirms that acupuncture causes neural biomechanical and biochemical changes within the body.

So what is acupuncture to you then and how can it be so helpful? The goal is to naturally balance the body through its own mechanisms toward a more healthy state. This is best acheived while problems exist at a more “funtional” level. When structural changes begin to occur more invasive method might be needed to correct the condition. Acupuncture points are also known to have increased electrical conductivity, although the nerves are not clearly linked to this type of occurrence.

There are several well known and respected types of acupuncture in addition to the Chinese system of practice. Japanese acupuncture places more importance on palpation and can have shallower needle insertion. Korean acupuncture has specialized treatments for the whole body while using only points on the hands as areas for insertion. Trigger point acupuncture uses points to be needled based solely on the anatomy of the body and has been widely used in the field of sports therapy.

Many times the prevention of infertility involves learning how to reduce as much stress on the body/mind as possible. I know this sounds like common sense and it is but if conceiving and carrying a child to term is one of the most stressful and exhausting time periods how more so is trying repeatedly but unsuccessfully to conceive in the first place can be? Fortunately many of the very same things that positively affect your general health will also do the same for reproductive health. These are in your control. The quality of your eggs and sperm represent the state of health of your body as a whole. For instance, if you are diagnosed with high FSH(follicle stimulating hormone) this reflects on your general health as well as your reproduction health. FSH levels can drop once the ovaries become more sensitive again to hormonal stimulation.

Here is a very common situation many people encounter with concern to stress, either mental or physical:

The first book written about Chinese medicine for infertility was first published around the time of the Crusades. Acupuncture for fertility can be one of the largest and busiest areas of practice for an acupuncturist. In a sense we are not forcing your body to become more fertile than how it should naturally be…when functioning correctly that is. If a person is trulybiologically infertile then no amount of intervention will change that. For most, however, this is not the case and Chinese medicine for infertility can help you!

To an acupuncturist when treating infertility the body is recognized as being in a state of hamperedfertility. Lets take an analogy for example. Let’s say you want to do a little gardening, you have that perfect flower you want to plant… just came mail order today! Your garden is already doing great, awash with color, hardly no work at all…the soil must be very, hmm…fertile!