Ancient and Modern Acupuncture
This ancient medicine from eastern Asia is currently the fastest growing Alternative Medicine in the world. The popularity is based on its ability to treat the root cause of disease without harmful side effects. Acupuncture is based on East Asian Medicine, a comprehensive system of natural healthcare that diagnoses and treats disease, as well as prevents illnesses. Originating more than 3,000 years ago, historians said, “More people have benefited from Acupuncture over the course of 30 centuries than the combined total of all other healing sciences, both ancient and modern.”
Modern Acupuncture is progressive, combining traditional and innovative therapies. The “Five Branches” of traditional East Asian Medicine continue to be integrated in treatments: Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Massage, Nutrition and Exercise. In addition, contemporary techniques are currently advancing, such as, sonopuncture, motor points needling, electroacupuncture, or scalp acupuncture, using modern knowledge about the cerebral cortex. Since 1997, the National Institutes of Health has endorsed Acupuncture: “There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its use into conventional medicine…”Modern science is beginning to understand the secrets of this ancient medicine with new, ongoing research worldwide.”
What Acupuncture Effectively Treats
Acupuncture is recognized by leading national and international health organizations to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Here is a partial list to show the diversity of conditions that Acupuncture can benefit:
Back Pain, Sciatica, Arthritis, Acute and Chronic Pain, Stress and Emotions, Digestive Issues, Autoimmune Disorders, Allergies, Fertility, PMS or Menopause, Addictions, Weight-loss, Libido, Migraines, Insomnia, Depression/Anxiety, PTSD, Stroke, Well-being
How Acupuncture Works
East Asian Medicine and Acupuncture are based on the principal of qi (pronounced chee), a vital energy inherent in all living things, that promotes the body’s natural ability to heal itself. The qi circulates in well-defined pathways called meridians. They connect to organs, emotions and “Acu-Points,” that specifically determine where to apply hair-like, thin stainless steel needles. Acupuncture stimulates and rebalances the Qi, to promote health and treat the root cause of disease.
This includes balancing the emotions interconnected in the five element system: wood/anger, fire/joy, earth/worry, metal/sadness and water/fear shown (left). The number of treatments needed depends upon the duration, severity and nature of a health condition (2-3 may be sufficient for acute, while a series of 5-15 treatments may be needed to resolve chronic conditions).
Modern research explains how Acupuncture works from a western medical perspective:
Increases blood circulation
Increases white blood cells for Immunity
Increases serotonin for mental health
Increases endorphins to decrease pain
Gate Control Theory-Blocks pain signals
Trudy’s Healing Approach – Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Trudy’s approach is integrative, adjusting treatments for each patient’s unique needs: utilizing the wisdom of tradition, while embracing the innovation of new knowledge. She practices the classic style of the Balance Method, learned from Master Tan. This method has been used for more than 2,500 years. It’s derived from the I Ching, one of the oldest books in the world. Trudy combines the 5 Branches (mentioned above) and herbal prescriptions. In addition, she uses contemporary techniques using motor points, electroacupuncture, scalp acupuncture and sonopuncture.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine from China is arguably the most sophisticated in the world, used for thousands of years. The herbal medicine is the yin treatment and acupuncture yang. The acupuncture and herbs have evolved to work as a complement to each other. There are thousands of herbs and formulas that have been developed to treat many chronic or difficult to treat health disorders.
