A SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT MEDICAL APPROACH
Here's a scenario you might like to consider. Let’s say you've always really looked after your health. You are fairly fit, have a good diet and feel generally content. You are in no way ill, and naturally you want to stay that way.
Firstly, congratulations! What I’d like to suggest though, (although I’m sure you already know this) is that it might not always be easy to maintain this happy state. Life can be stressful, things can happen. This is where acupuncture might be of tremendous benefit for you.
The ‘philosophy' behind traditional Chinese healthcare is radically different from that of the West. In our culture, we expect to have contact with the medical profession only when we are ill; when disease has already taken root. Yet for thousands of years, a great many people, especially in Asia, have seen things very differently. What they developed, alongside a great many highly effective healing techniques, was what I call a ‘philosophy of wellness’. |
I have already discussed the multiple ‘medical’ applications of Chinese healthcare, and their effectiveness. But management of pain or illness is only part of the picture. Since ancient times, it's been seen as far better not to get ill in the first place! OK, in today's fast-paced world, ‘never getting ill' is a very tall order. (I'd say it was almost impossible for most of us!) Even so, traditional Chinese healthcare can make a huge contribution to keeping you in optimum condition. And how? The key word is balance.
To the ancients, ‘balance' was far more than not being ill. To be healthy meant to be in balance physically (i.e. without pain or illness), emotionally and even ‘ spiritually'.* If these three factors were maintained in equilibrium, a person would have far more chance of remaining well. Acupuncture, tui na massage and all the many other facets of traditional Chinese healthcare evolved specifically to achieve this. Helping to keep a client in a state of harmonious balance is a major part of my work. And yes, it really can be done – we acupuncturists have had several thousand years to get this right!
* ‘Spiritual' in this context definitely does not refer to religious belief. It really means our inner life and ‘core values' – how ‘connected' we are to ourselves and the world.
* ‘Spiritual' in this context definitely does not refer to religious belief. It really means our inner life and ‘core values' – how ‘connected' we are to ourselves and the world.