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ORIENTAL EXERCISE
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Acupuncture - the insertion of fine needs into special energy points just beneath the surface of the skin. In addition to needles, heat is also sometimes applied to the points, a process called moxibustion.

Shiatsu which uses hands-on techniques such as assisted stretches, applied pressure and joint rotations to stimulate energy or disperse areas of stagnation along the energy channels of the body. Shiatsu is from Japan, and is usually done through a thin layer of clothing.

Herbalism - addresses internal imbalances of the organs through the use of special preparations of herbs. Many of the herbs are of eastern origin, and can also be provided in pill form these days.

All of these make use of one fundamental principle, that within the body there circulates a vital energy or life force called chi (or Qi) which flows through all the organs of the body and extends along special channels or pathways that can be accessed near to the surface of the body. These channels form a network known as the Jingluo and it is here that the energy can be reached through acupuncture or acu-pressure techniques (shaitsu). A skilled therapist will take great trouble to discover the deep, underlying cause of a patient's condition before commencing treatment. This usually takes the form of detailed questioning and observation, palpation of the pulses of both wrists and also a detailed examination of the tongue.

Treatment ultimately aims to restore the balance of the whole person, body mind and spirit, harmonising the internal organs and strengthening the whole constitution - so that disease finds it difficult to thrive. Equally effective as prevention and cure, Oriental medicine in the hands of a skilled and experienced therapist is ideal for safely treating all manner of physical and emotional ills without side effects. TheWorld Health Organisation has conservatively listed 104 illnesses that can be treated via acupuncture alone.

Above all else, however, oriental medicine is a preventative therapy - which means that we can pursue this kind of treatment even when we feel perfectly fit and well. A competent practitioner in these traditions will be able to tell, through special principles of diagnosis, just what kinds of disease the patient will be prone to in the future, and can act at an early stage to ward off illness - even before it begins. Regular acupuncture or shiatsu treatment fosters a positive cycle of regenerative health and enhanced immunity - helping to ward off common ailments such as colds and flu and contributing to a more outgoing, creative mental outlook.

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An old illustration showing some of the many acupuncture points still used in clinical practice

Examining the pulses. In oriental medicine this is a vital element in diagnosis. It goes far beyond the mere recording of the pulse rate. There are many different qualities that can be detected along the radial artery, and numerous positions and depths where the practitioner will palpate very carefully in order to identify the condition of the internal organs and systems of the body. The pulse qualities, moreover, can alter substantially during the course of a treatment session.

Acupuncture needles in situ


Shiatsu or acupuressure (Shiatsu society UK)