Our health is a reflection of energetic balance in our body, mind and spirit. Traditional Chinese Medicine has created a system of diagnosing energetic imbalance that reflects or even precedes pain and disease in our bodies.
Acupuncture originates and is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Over the past 3000 years TCM has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare system that can treat a wide variety of health conditions successfully and safely. In TCM, a holistic treatment plan that is based on a complex diagnosis, allows the practitioner to address not only the symptoms (branch) but also the cause (root) of the health condition.
By using the diagnostic tools in TCM – taking the pulse, assessing the tongue, asking questions and palpating certain body areas – the practitioner will gain insight into the nature of the imbalance. He/she then uses acupuncture and/or herbal medicine to reinstall the essential equilibrium that the body needs to heal. Acupuncture is performed by inserting fine, sterile needles (for one time use only) at certain points on the body located on energy channels called the meridians.
Moxibustion is used for warming certain acupuncture points in order to move or to tonify Qi. Tui na (Chinese massage), cupping, Gua Sha (scraping over particular skin areas), dietary advice, Qi Gong and Tai Qi (Chinese exercise) are also used to treat the body according to the theories of Chinese medicine.
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that it uses the same point and meridian system. Needles are inserted on specific points along the body and are then attached to a device that generates continuous (low-level) electric pulses using small clips. The device is used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulses and to increase stimulation of key acupuncture points relevant to the condition (e.g.around the eyes). For some eye conditions like Retinitis Pigmentosa, dry AMD or Optic Nerve Atrophy the extra stimulation has been found to increase the treatment success.
Auricular Acupuncture
The human ear is believed to be a microsystem representing the entire body. There are hundreds of points on the ear that relate to both physical and emotional areas of the brain. The stimulation of these points is known as Auriculotherapy.
Holographic Acupuncture on microsystems originally was not part of TCM. Even though now widely practiced by TCM practitioners worldwide it originated only from the 1950’s in France. Microsystem acupuncture does not depend on the energy channels or meridians. A microsystem reflects the energetic balance of the human body and can be read like a holographic map of the organism. The best-known microsystem is the human ear but theoretically there is an infinite number of microsystems to find. Very much like in a hologram each one presents on a very small area information about the whole organism. Is the body out of balance this will be reflected in the related area of the microsystem. Points of weakness can be located by thorough probing of skin texture and tenderness, electric resistance or by observing remote reflexes. By stimulating these points with tiny seeds or needles a rise in the electromagnetic charge of the surrounding cell tissue can be caused and initiate a healing reaction. Due to the holographic character of the microsystem the change communicates into the whole organism.
Acupuncture works on the body’s basic energy referred to as Qi. In Western science we don’t have a comparable concept but rather describe the phenomenon of life in terms of Physics and Biochemistry. The ancient Chinese perceived this life energy as circulating throughout the body in channels called meridians. Via these channels, Qi brings life to the entire body and energizes and nourishes cells, tissues and organs. Acupuncture works by stimulating circulation to the parts of the body where the Qi and blood have become congested or where there is weakness.
Acupuncture and The Eyes
At Vision Acupuncture we provide Acupuncture treatment for all types of eye conditions. The kind of treatment can be quite different though depending on the nature of the disease.
We discern between degenerative eye disease like Macular Degeneration or Retinitis Pigmentosa and more common eye conditions like dry eyes or farsightedness.
Generally spoken, degenerative conditions will need more intensive treatment and in most cases be recommended to go through a Microsystem Acupuncture protocol. Dry eyes, inflammation or irritation of the lids and visible parts of the eye show excellent healing response to TCM and less frequent treatment sessions will be necessary.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine our eyesight is closely related to healthy function of the internal organs, especially the liver. Dysfunction of the liver or of any of the inner organs can diminish the flow of Qi and blood to the eyes. Acupuncture’s strength is in unblocking recurring energy patterns that obstruct this flow of nourishing energy. This results in better macro- and microcirculation, and therefore increased oxygenation, function and immunity.
Acupuncture has proven successful at balancing the nervous system to induce a parasympathetic response. This is particularly valuable with a history of shock, trauma and over-stimulation by continuous stress. The resulting relaxation spontaneously shows in improved vision.
Of course, this does not only apply to the visual system. Any dysfunction connected to or sustained by nervous system stress tends to respond rather immediately to acupuncture. Repeated treatments release excess excitation and charge from the nervous system and reintroduce a sense of calm and centeredness.
Acupuncture and Visual Acuity
There are acupuncture points close to the extra-ocular muscles of the eye, that help stimulate underactive muscles and/or relax tense muscles. By treating these points, visual acuity can be directly affected. Needles are safely placed around the eye; no needles access the eye. The results are best with Presbyopia (reading difficulty in adults over 40 years of age) and Myopia (nearsightedness) in children under 21 years of age.
Needles placed in the scalp (scalp acupuncture) have demonstrated the ability to enhance brain function and, possibly, stimulate the formation of new neuronal pathways. Particular points on the scalp are believed to support communication between hemispheres of the brain and eyes. We have seen some encouraging results in improving coordinated eye-movements and stereoscopic (3D) vision.
Acupunture treatment is combined with Nutritional Consultation, Craniosacral Therapy and Vision Education to optimize the effects on visual acuity.