Most of the modern society makes use mostly on conventional or modern medicine which includes pills and such. But sometimes, when we feel that the source of our illness has not been removed, we turn to other, alternative approaches on health and medicine. Like many other practices, they involve the healing of the spiritual as well as the physical layer. Because they have different techniques, though, we often underestimate some of the alternative and complimentary forms of treatment.
We are skeptical and question if is “natural”, especially when it involves the use of needles to activate specific points of our body. Perhaps the awareness of the science behind Acupuncture and the philosophies of healing will dispel fears and prejudices that hold us back from this ancient healing technique.
“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”- Isaac Asimov.
Acupuncture: Triggering your Qi using Needles
Acupuncture has long been considered to be an advanced form, a less painful form of Acupressure. The practice of Acupuncture is part of the traditional Chinese medicine, and it is based upon philosophical and spiritual as well as physical knowledge. It is believed that we are a union of spiritual and physical, and in order for our body and soul to coexist in harmony, we need to purify ourselves of strange or negative energy.
Acupuncture consists in stimulation of certain points, called acupoints, in order to release the tension from within, to restore balance in our energy flow, in the qi. We can think of these points as centers of energy, of channels that allow us to release our stress. Through this, we are healing our energy and our physical body, because the body also suffers from the damage of stress.
It is true that the main instrument for this practice is a needle, but it is a very well and carefully crafted needle, thin enough to be effective while pricking you in a very subtle way, sometimes we not feeling it at all. The sight of a person undergoing acupuncture may give rise to fear, but it is just a way to relax and replenish your aura with balance.
Moxibustion: Warming your Qi points
Moxibustion, is another derivation from the rich Chinese traditional medicine source. It makes use of similar points, principles, that acupuncture uses but it uses different instruments. Practitioners use a certain plant, called moxa, which they warm up, and then they place it on certain acupoints, the same used in acupuncture. This process heats the area, thus releasing and increasing the quality of our blood flow. This change of temperature is used to relax your body.
Acupuncture and moxibustion may now sound interesting and the fact is that they have been around for a very long time, and the fact that they are still practice must be a good enough reason in order to keep you interested into finding out more. Be flexible to find and benefit from these ancient sciences.
