Acupuncture in Zurich

Acupuncture has been known in China for more than 3,000 years as an effective remedy for pain, functional and psychological disorders, as well as for harmonizing the immune system, and is also becoming increasingly well-known and popular in the Western world.

 

Naturopathy and orthodox medicine increasingly rely on acupuncture

Both conventional medicine and naturopathy have discovered the gentle healing power of this TCM treatment and established it as a highly effective treatment with few side effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 40 known medical conditions for which acupuncture is considered an effective form of treatment. Research on this topic is far from complete, but many clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture, for example, in the treatment of pain from knee osteoarthritis, chronic deep back pain, and the prevention of migraine attacks. For these conditions, acupuncture can be significantly more effective than conventional medical treatments.

How does acupuncture work?

TCM knows different methods of stimulating acupuncture points. In classical acupuncture, acupuncture needles are inserted, other possibilities are stimulation of the points by heat (moxibustion) or by pressure (acupressure).

Yin and Yang are the basis of acupuncture

As a treatment concept of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is based on the theory of yin and yang and is later supplemented by the theory of the five elements and the theory of meridians.

Typically, about two treatments are performed per week, with a total of at least 10-12 treatments. After that, usually 2-3 weeks of rest until a new course of therapy can take place. An acupuncture session alone lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. The patient is placed in a calm and relaxed position, usually lying or sitting comfortably. Before inserting the acupuncture needle, gently massage the acupuncture point and surrounding areas. During a treatment, as few points as possible are pricked, but as many as necessary. In acupuncture, about 400 acupuncture points are used, which are arranged on so-called meridians. According to the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the flow of Qi or vital energy is affected by the insertion of the needle. For simplicity, the current model of twelve main meridians was introduced, mirrored in pairs on both sides of the body. Eight additional meridians and a series of points called complements complete this pattern.

 

The aim of the treatment

Acupuncture aims to normalize the disturbed energy flow in the body: Acupuncture points on the meridians are stimulated with the finest needles and the disturbed energy flow is carefully regulated. Each of these points is associated with a specific organ or organ circuit and has a precisely defined healing effect. For needles, the acupuncturist therefore selects only points on the body, hands, feet or ears of the patient that match the patient’s complaint pattern. Therefore, the diseased organ is influenced indirectly through external locations on the skin, acupuncture points, and is not treated directly as with conventional medical methods. Acupuncture balances the energies of the organs and stimulates them to heal themselves. Many functional diseases – that is, diseases without permanent organic damage – can be successfully treated in this way. Harmful side effects, which often accompany drug treatment, do not occur when acupuncture is used correctly.

Effect of acupuncture and moxibustion

Stimulation of acupuncture points on the skin influences the organs associated with these points, which is called the reflex effect of acupuncture.

It also activates mechanisms that control pain. Stimulation at certain points inhibits the sensitivity of certain nerves to pain. Treatment with needles causes relaxation and pain relief through the production of the body’s own substance endorphin and other neurotransmitters. Acupuncture also causes the release of growth hormones. These promote tissue regeneration, for example, in the joint. This explains the effectiveness of this treatment, especially in knee osteoarthritis.

The use of acupuncture is especially recommended for:

• respiratory diseases (e.g. acute sinusitis, bronchial asthma)
• migraine
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. chronic gastric ulcer)
• Sleep disorder
• Neurological diseases (after stroke etc.)
• Eye diseases (such as central retinitis)
• Musculoskeletal disorders (neck-shoulder syndrome, etc.)
• Diseases of the mouth (pain after tooth extraction, gingivitis, etc.)
• chronic pain without physical findings
• complaints during pregnancy

 

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