It seem that every day the media is bombarding us with different ways to improve our lives, feel better, and look and feel healthier. The trouble is that what the media pushes the medical services can't always deliver and many individuals have learned that zero tolerance is the only way to deal with pain and suffering.



There are "miracle pills" to be found for every sort of ailment and complaint we might have, exercises that are "certain" to cure weight problems, and procedures to improve our beauty. For all that progress it seems that, for many people, western medicine yet to find the ultimate pain relief that could help anyone at all. But what western medicine may struggle with Chinese medicine solved over two thousand years ago.

For over two thousand years the Chinese have been practicing techniques that have proven to provide pain relief, ease suffering, and reduce tension and stress.

In recent years, the trend in almost everything has turned east towards the Asian community with Japanese and Chinese language classes flourishing and oriental fashion trends booming throughout the world.

In the field of alternative medical practices oriental treatments are becoming extremely popular in light of their positive results, results that have stretched back over two thousand years.

These practices have been rigorously studied by the western medical community as a way to supplement the current health system. As a result of those studies and the positive results achieved some forms of eastern medicine have even been adopted and accepted within many hospitals and medical practices. One such alternative medical practice is acupuncture.

From a Chinese perspective acupuncture involves a little bit of faith in living energy that they believe flows through all living beings. The practice is based on the belief that Qi (pronounced 'chee') flows through our bodies along meridian lines and can, when we are not well or under stress, become blocked.

Acupuncturists claim that when these energy blockages occur, pain and suffering or stress and ill health are the result. They claim that these symptoms and illnesses can be cured by getting the energy, the Qi, to flow properly again. They do this by releasing the blocked energy the gentle insertion of very thin, metal needles in the skin at very precise locations.

The needles are then often gently manipulated and then left in for up to 30 minutes. Often the patient feels heat but not always. The result of needles being inserted and manipulated is that the blockages are released and the Qi, the energy flows once again resulting in good health and balance for the individual patient.

Whilst not many western practitioners can truly believe in the theory the effects are often indisputable. Expert practitioners can ease severe pain including headaches and migraine - frequently eliminating it completely. They can lift depression, increase libido and claim to cure a whole range of ailments from kidney and liver problems to anxiety and stress all without the use of western pills and medication, though Chinese practitioners do often recommend traditional herbal preparations.

Medical and psychological professionals are referring more and more people to acupuncturists for help with easing stress and pain in particular. When choosing an acupuncturist, make sure you feel comfortable with the professional and that the office environment is clean, sanitary, and safe.

Western acupuncturists are often qualified doctors or health professionals (e.g. physiotherapist) but, as with any medical professional, acupuncturists should have strong acupuncture credentials from accredited training facilities and should be able to answer your questions in a manner that tells you they know what they're speaking about.