Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an energy-based system of healing that is several thousand years old and addresses and activates the self-healing powers of the body.

The stimulation of acupuncture points influences the flow of energy within the body along the channels and hence in the entire organism. Acupuncture resolves blockages, moves stagnations, supplies emptiness with new energy, and relieves fullness. As a result, pain can be reduced and disturbed organ functions can be revived. Successful acupuncture restores the natural balance of the organism. It is not able, however, to heal permanently destroyed tissue.

One important aspect of this healing process is that the body learns through acupuncture to restore its balance on its own. The acupuncturist thereby has the role of showing the diseased organism the path to healing by means of the needle. Ideally, if identical problems reappear later, the patient’s self-healing powers will “remember” this path and start functioning on their own in the way that they have learned earlier.

During acupuncture treatment, fine needles are inserted at precisely localized acupuncture points and retained there for a certain amount of time. The length of time that the needles remain in the body depends on the indication and condition of the patient. To avoid injury to the underlying tissue and to nerves, blood vessels, joints, or organs, this treatment should only be performed by trained and qualified practitioners.

Acupuncture can have a helpful or at least a supportive effect:

• Movement disorders; for example, due to arthrosis or arthritis in the hip, shoulder, elbow, knee, spinal column, and toes
• Growth and development disorders of the bones and joints
• Geriatric problems
• Chronic disorders of the respiratory tract, skin, gastrointestinal tract, urogenital tract, cardiovascular system, eyes, and ears
• Allergies and disorders of the immune system
• Hormonal disturbances, as in diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease, thyroid problems, ovarian cysts, and fertility disorders
• Epilepsy
• Tumors
• Psychological problems, such as pathological fears, aggression, etc.

​​​​​​​At the same time, acupuncture can reduce the dosages of pharmaceutical drugs that may be necessary.

In all of these cases, the basic requirements for a successful treatment are a thorough medical history, examination, and diagnosis. The mere application of standardized needling formulas without knowledge of their background carries the risk of exacerbating the disorder and carrying it deeper into the body instead of improving or to say nothing of healing it.

​​​​​​​The complex system of Chinese medicine was developed over several thousand years, partly on the basis of observations and experiences gathered and documented by individual practitioners. Over a long period of time, a large number of patients provided huge amounts of informative data. The evaluation of this material made it possible to discern general patterns that finally gave rise to a coherent medical philosophy. This philosophy aims at preserving the health of the individual by means of controlling and balancing actions on the inside and outside. Our Western knowledge of Chinese medicine and acupuncture is built on this groundwork, allowing for a well-informed application of acupuncture directing the body on the way to self-healing.