Dr. Zhang's additional view of oriental medicine
In Chinese medicine, acupuncture aims to regulate the flow of Qi (vital energy) along meridians or pathways in the body. When Qi is balanced and flowing freely, health and wellbeing improve.
Inserting needles at specific acupoints can unblock any obstructions and re-establish the proper flow of Qi. This restores harmony between Yin and Yang energies in the body and promotes self-healing.
The meridian system connects over 300 acupoints that correlate to specific organs and physiological functions. Targeting these with acupuncture needles restores optimal Qi flow and resolves disharmony, pain, illness.
Acupuncture works on three levels in the body:
Adjusting the physical body and visible material level
Adjusting Qi, the energy and consciousness level
Adjusting the Shen, the spirit and invisible subconscious level
By working on these three levels, acupuncture brings the physiological, mental/emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person into greater alignment and harmony. This comprehensive approach promotes total wellbeing.
So in summary, Eastern medicine sees acupuncture as holistically modulating multiple levels of the human system - material, energetic, and spiritual - to stimulate the body's innate healing abilities.
an experienced acupuncturist would approach working on the different levels:
An good acupuncturist understands how to develop customized treatment strategies and needle techniques to address imbalances at the various levels.
On the physical level, they may select acupoints to target specific symptoms and use techniques like spreading, tonifying or sedation.
On the energy level, they will assess Qi flow and may manipulate needles to regulate and harmonize Qi throughout the meridian network.
On the spiritual level, they will evaluate the patient holistically and choose points and needle work to calm the Shen神/Spirit, settle the heart/mind, and address inner disharmony.
An integrative approach utilizing appropriate acupoint combinations and needle manipulations tailored to each patient's unique presentation is key to effectively treating the body, energy and spirit simultaneously.
So a skilled acupuncturist has many tools in their toolbox to develop individualized treatments that work in harmony on the different levels for optimal therapeutic results. Their depth of knowledge and experience allows them to restore balance from multiple dimensions.
