August 19, 2010 in Chinese Medicine by admin

Chinese Herbal Therapy

Chinese Herbal Therapy is an important treatment in Chinese medicine. It was largely unexplored outside China until this decade.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

There are over 400 Chinese herbs suitable for use in the United Kingdom as they have well-documented and understood functions. Chinese herbs are said to balance the Yin-Yang (life forces) to regulate internal organs and to enhance the immune system.

Much research, however, has shown that function groups of some herbal combinations have the same effects as chemical synthetic drugs, such as killing bacteria, restraining viruses, relieving fever, stopping pain, balancing the hormones, reducing glucose level in blood, etc.

Herbal treatment includes: dry herbs to be taken as tea, in tablet and capsule format as well as powders, creams and lotions for external use. With or without acupuncture, Chinese herbs can be powerful therapy.

The effectiveness of using Chinese medicine, however, depends heavily on the experience and qualifications of the practitioner and on his/her understanding of patient’s health conditions.

August 19, 2010 in FAQ by admin

Your questions answered

How does Acupuncture work?
What can Acupuncture treat?
What happens during an Acupuncture treatment?
How many treatments are needed?
Self help

Acupuncture originated in China over 2000 years ago and is a healing system that has been used and developed since then in many parts of the world. It is currently used in hospitals throughout China and is practised alongside Western medicine, both contributing equally to the provision of health care. The effectiveness of acupuncture has been recognised by the World
Health Organisation for its success in the treatment of over 40 different diseases.

How does Acupuncture work?

Fundamental to Chinese Medicine is the concept of Qi, (Chi), something that has no Western equivalent but can be defined as vital energy or life force. The quality and amount of Qi determines ones health and vitality. It provides the source of movement in the body, keeps the blood circulating, fights disease and warms the body. Qi is distributed around the body through a network
of interconnecting channels which go deep to the organs and pass through different levels to just below the skin where it can be contacted with acupuncture needles.

In the body Qi is dispersed through twelve main interconnecting pathways. Illness occurs primarily when there is an excess, deficiency or stagnation of Qi either within a specific organ or channel. For example, a strained back may be due to blocked Qi in the Bladder channel which runs down either side of the spine. Similarly if the balance of Qi in the Stomach organ is disturbed either of the following may occur: vomiting will result if there is an excess of Qi, while deficiency of Qi over a long time may predispose to a stomach ulcer.

The aim of acupuncture is to correct imbalances of Qi through the insertion of needles into specific points along the channels and so assist the body’s own recuperative
powers.

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What can Acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture is effective in treating most ailments presented at a GP’s surgery. It is especially valuable in chronic diseases that orthodox medicine can only alleviate with drugs. For example, asthma, hay fever, sinusitis; hypertension; depression; painful conditions anywhere in the body such as headache, migraine, arthritis, back pain; stiffness of joints or muscles.

Many acute complaints can be treated including strains and sprains, shingles, cystitis, menstrual disorders, diarrhea and vomiting, cough, colds and sore throats.

Acupuncture also recognises and treats many disharmonies that have no medical diagnosis, a non specific ‘not quite right’ feeling characterized by any of the following: tiredness, lethargy, vague aches and pains, digestive problems, difficulty in sleeping, anxiety, tension, palpitations or dizziness.

People with addictions to smoking, drugs or alcohol may be helped by acupuncture to reduce their dependencies.

In addition to the above many other disorders have been treated with success and it is always worth enquiring about any particular problem you might have. Please go to our Services page for more information.

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What happens during an Acupuncture treatment?

In order to make a diagnosis and plan treatments your practitioner will need to take a detailed case history, asking about present and past health problems, lifestyle, and general health. You may discuss anything that you feel has an effect on your health. In Chinese Medicine it is helpful to have as much information as possible to give a picture of the disharmony.

pulse diagnosis

Careful examination of the pulse and tongue are also made. The rhythm and quality of the pulse is felt at the wrist which indicates the balance of energy and state of disease. The tongue, through its shape, colour, movement and coating indicates progression and degree of illness.

According to the diagnosis very fine needles are inserted into the acupuncture points. The initial sensation is often described as ‘tingling’, ‘slightly heavy’, ‘dull’, or ‘numb’. The needles are usually left in place for about twenty minutes, and the whole treatment last about an hour. (Stainless steel disposable needles are used).

After the treatment a feeling of relaxation or well-being is often noticed. It is not advisable to rush around doing anything too strenuous. After treatment sometimes tiredness may be felt for a couple of days afterwards while the energy adjusts. There may be an immediate improvement in the condition or sometimes an aggravation occurs before symptoms are alleviated. Usually a gradual improvement is noticed over a series of treatments.

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How many treatments are needed?

Since acupuncture treats people not diseases the number of treatments necessary depends on a whole host of factors relating to the specific individual. For example, the duration of the illness, general state of energy, constitution, life style, are all taken into consideration. Generally speaking the more acute the disease the sooner it will respond, although there are instances where acupuncture has brought quick relief to many chronic problems.

The initial treatments will usually be once a week and their frequency will be decreased as the person progresses, to once a fortnight, once a month etc, until there is only a need for an occasional preventative check-up.

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Self help

Vegitables & diet

As the cause of ill health can stem from our ways of living often some change in lifestyle may be needed to help the treatment to be effective. Your practitioner will help in giving an understanding of what may be contributing to illness in your particular circumstances.

The areas which influence health include: constitution, diet, exercise, type of work, relaxation, sleep, emotional states, weather conditions, drugs. etc.

There may be one or more of these aspects that needs special attention to prevent a recurrence of the particular disharmony.

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August 19, 2010 in Testimonials by admin

Darrent – Shrewsbury

My wife and I went to see a specialist at the hospital because we have been unsuccessful in trying for a baby and we found out the problem was with me.

I had a sperm count of around 3 million sperm per milliliter of semen, when 20 million or more is considered a normal count.

At the same time I was receiving treatment from Daian Zou for a knee injury that meant  I could barely run properly and I mentioned that we were having difficulty trying for a baby.

Not only did Daian fix my knee so I can run for miles now, she prescribed a course of acupuncture, herbs and lifestyle advice  that produced amazing results. Soon after starting treatment my sperm count went up to 5 million and now its well over the required 20 million which is enough for conception.

August 19, 2010 in Testimonials by admin

Mr. & Mrs. Hepplethwaith – Whitchurch

There was no treatment whatsoever from the NHS other than investigative. It was all down to Daian. Baby William is in a perfetly healthy condition and we are absolutely convinced that it was Daian’s (infertility) treatment. She has been absolutely wonderful…

September 19, 2009 in Acupuncture News by admin

Can acupuncture be a painkiller? – BBC

“Whatever the mechanism, though, it does seem that acupuncture can be as effective a painkiller as some traditional pain medication.” .. From BBC – Turst me I am a doctor

Read more »

May 6, 2009 in Acupuncture News by admin

Charity cites acupuncture success in treating addiction

From BBC

A lottery-funded scheme in Wiltshire has helped more than 600 people cope with drug addiction using acupuncture, a charity has said.

The New Highway charity has used the alternative therapy, alongside coaching, to help addicts in its 10 centres over the last two years.

It said it helped prevent relapses and combat anxiety.

But the NHS said not enough evidence existed to prove the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating drug addiction.

‘Cope with cravings’
New Highway, which was formerly known as Bath Area Drugs Advisory Service, won a £167,000 Big Lottery grant in 2010 to help people with drug and alcohol addictions through acupuncture therapy.

Kevin McAlpine, from the charity, said: “What we’ve seen is that it makes a significant difference with stress and being able to cope with cravings from withdrawal.”

Dr Max Bloomberg, a research fellow at Goldsmiths University of London, is sceptical of the benefits of the therapy.

He believes the care an addict receives when they receive acupuncture treatment is what they respond to.

“How do you tease apart other facts like care versus acupuncture?” Dr Bloomberg said.

“It often isn’t the acupuncture, it’s the lovely atmosphere, it’s the fact that someone really cares.”