Celebrating World Acupuncture Day! 

Acupuncture NZ is joining with our international colleagues at ETCMA commemorating World Acupuncture Day on Saturday 19 November 20204 – raising awareness of our proud profession.                                            Acupuncture has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Human Cultural Treasure since 2010.

Did you know…………

Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture, Tuina and Chinese Herbal Medicine) is now a regulated Health Profession in New Zealand.  Acupuncture is practiced in over 180 countries worldwide. It is also a regulated profession in Australia, China, Japan and many other countries.                   NZ Registered Acupuncturists have 3-5 years of degree level education and training (or equivalent), including in anatomy, physiology and pathology. 

Acupuncture NZ members are trained in one or more traditionally based systems of acupuncture: such as Traditional Chinese medicine, Traditional Japanese acupuncture, Korean acupuncture, Five Elements, Stems and Branches, Tung style and many others.  These styles differ slightly in diagnostic and needling techniques, but all of these styles trace their roots back to the classical texts such as the Huang Di Nei Jing (黄帝内经): Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon.

  • Traditional styles of acupuncture utilise an understanding of health and illness that has developed for more than 2000 years. This theoretical knowledge guides the diagnosis, and selection of points. 
  • In Traditional Chinese Medicine there is no mind-body division. In other words, the physical, emotional and mental aspect of oneself, are seen as interdependent.  
  • The mind-body-spirit is seen as a complete system and understanding the relationship between the various parts is central to making a diagnosis and treatment plan. Traditional Chinese and East Asian medicine is a wholistic health care modality.

This is one of the key differences between Traditional Acupuncture and ‘western' or 'medical acupuncture’, and one of its many strengths.

  • Traditional Acupuncture as a health modality encompasses much more than the insertion of acupuncture needles. Other techniques such as moxibustion, cupping, guasha and tuina massage, are often integrated in treatments. The cultivation of mindfulness in both the practitioner and client is an aspect of the more unspoken gift of Chinese medicine. This cultivation is reflected in the graceful exercises of Qi gong and Tai chi.
  • You can find out more about the history of acupuncture here

 

New Zealand based research                                                        Acupuncture NZ members have recently been engaged in a study headed by Dr David McBride, a team from Otago University, and Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology looking at the use of acupuncture, action and commitment therapy (ACT) and Rongoa Māori healing for the treatment of New Zealand’s Veterans who are dealing with chronic pain and distress.

How does Acupuncture work? 

There are two ways that this question may be answered. The first is to use the Traditional theory of acupuncture.  Remembering that the depth and detail of this theory is vast, but the overall theory of traditional acupuncture is the theory of qi (vital energy), how to improve the flow and the quality of qi and how to restore the balance of Yin and Yang in the body – or alternatively to restore balance (homeostasis).                                 The overall aim of acupuncture is to direct the flow of qi and to trigger your body’s own healing response in order to restore physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

The second way to answer this question is through western bioscience:                                                        ‘The effects of acupuncture are complex. How it works is not entirely clear.  Research suggests that the needling process, and other techniques used in acupuncture, may produce a variety of effects in the body and the brain.  One theory is that stimulated nerve fibers transmit signals to the spinal cord and brain, activating the body's central nervous system. The spinal cord and brain then release hormones responsible for making us feel less pain while improving overall health. In fact, a study using images of the brain confirmed that acupuncture increases our pain threshold, which may explain why it produces long-term pain relief. Acupuncture may also increase blood circulation and body temperature, affect white blood cell activity (responsible for our immune function), reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and regulate blood sugar levels.’ (Mt Sinai Hospitals, New York. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/treatment/acupuncture).
                                                                                                                                                                                                            'In terms of physiology and biochemistry, acupuncture has been shown to stimulate nerves and connective tissue resulting in profound effects on the nervous system including regulation of key areas of the brain. This improved function results in the body producing its own natural chemicals involved in pain relief and the reduction of inflammation as well as releasing neurotransmitters that create a feeling of relaxation and well-being.’ (Acupuncture Now Foundation. https://www.acunow.org/about-acupuncture.html)

Celebrating the wonderful work of our International colleagues:

 

 To the Point is a fascinating and informative documentary by the British Acupuncture Council.

 

Getting to the Point is brought to you by the Acupuncture Now Foundation and award winning film maker Doug Dearth, this touching documentary chronicles the stories of two young boys diagnosed with brain cancer who were cared for at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC),  California and how the hospitals acupuncturist worked with them as part of their recovery journey.