Treatment
Methods
5-Element Acupuncture
The five elements: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal are, from a Chinese perspective, the fundamental building blocks of nature. They help explain and enable the continuous flow of energy, and through their interaction they create growth and change.
According to Five-Element theory, the energy of the world can be divided into five movements or phases. The associations linked to each element form a kind of language that helps us understand and describe the world and its interconnected relationships.
This understanding can also be applied to human beings in order to recognise and interpret individual characteristics. In this way, a picture emerges of the complex interplay of the elements forming the basis of Five-Element diagnostics.
Each element describes a different phase in nature and in the human being. The way a person behaves and participates in life can reveal a great deal about their inner state and the energy of their organ systems.When the organs are in balance, we are able to express emotions in a healthy way and find harmony within ourselves.
TCM
In contrast to Five-Element Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is less focused on the individual’s constitutional pattern and places more emphasis on the patient’s symptoms. In TCM, symptoms are connected and differentiated in order to diagnose so-called syndromes. For example, in a patient with headaches, the type and location of the pain are examined more closely in order to identify the origin of the complaint based on one or more syndromes. For each syndrome, there are various point combinations that can be used for treatment. The strengths of TCM lie particularly in the treatment of acute complaints and musculoskeletal conditions.
Integrated Acupuncture
Both approaches—Five-Element Acupuncture and TCM—have their strengths and limitations.In my view, Five-Element Acupuncture can often initiate deeper processes because the treatment can be tailored very specifically to the individual patient. However, the best results are often achieved by combining both methods, as they complement each other very well.This was also one of the reasons I chose to complete my training abroad: at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, both acupuncture approaches are taught in depth—along with how to combine them effectively.
Moxa
Moxa is made from the herb mugwort (Artemisia), and moxibustion is a form of heat therapy. Moxa can be burned in small cylinders above specific acupuncture points, moved along certain pathways (meridians) with a moxa stick, or placed on top of an acupuncture needle. Moxibustion stimulates the circulation of blood and energy (Qi) and can help dispel pathogenic influences.
Cupping
Cupping is an ancient method within Chinese medicine. Heat or a suction mechanism is used to create negative pressure, allowing glass or bamboo cups to be placed on muscles or joints. The cups are then either left in place for a while or moved back and forth over a specific area of the body using oil. Cupping is mainly used to help dispel pathogenic influences, stimulate the circulation of blood and Qi, relax muscles, and relieve muscle and joint pain.
Gua Sha
In Gua Sha therapy, a tool is repeatedly stroked over a specific area of the body. Gua Sha is primarily used to relieve tension and muscle pain. Similar to cupping, it stimulates the circulation of blood and Qi in the body.
Tuina
Tuina is a Chinese form of therapeutic massage. It is mainly practised over clothing and without using oil. The treatment combines various massage techniques with acupressure. It is used to relax muscles, relieve pain, and also to support the treatment of internal conditions.
Pulse Diagnosis
Pulse diagnosis is an important part of acupuncture. Unlike in Western medicine, it is not only the speed of the pulse that is assessed. There are a total of 12 different pulse qualities, each associated with a specific organ, and each can vary in character and strength. An acupuncturist learns to recognise these subtle differences and draw conclusions about organ strength and the balance and harmony of the body’s internal systems. Personally, I find pulse diagnosis one of the most fascinating aspects of acupuncture.
Tongue Diagnosis
In tongue diagnosis, the shape, colour, texture, and moisture of different areas of the tongue—as well as the tongue coating—are observed to gain insight into the “internal substances” and into patterns of heat or cold. The tongue changes more slowly than the pulse and is therefore considered a secondary diagnostic tool.
