Acupuncture and Yin and Yang

The concept of Yin and Yang is one of the most fundamental and profound theories of acupuncture. The concepts of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements provide the intellectual framework of much of Chinese scientific thinking especially in fields like biology and medicine The organs of the body are seen to be interrelated in the same sorts of ways as other natural phenomena, and best understood by looking for correlations and correspondences. Illness is seen as a disturbance in the balance of Yin and Yang or the Five Elements caused by emotions, heat or cold, or other influences. Therapy thus depended on accurate diagnosis of the source of the imbalance.

Yin/Yang expresses a system of relationships, patterns and functions. Everything in the Chinese view of the world and of life is related to a dynamic balance of ying/yang. Everything has an inside (yin) and an outside (yang), a top (yin) and a bottom (yang). There is a continual communication between these two hemispheres of energy. Life takes places in the alternating rhythm of ying/yang- day gives way to night, night to day; a time of light and activity (yang) is followed by darkness and rest (ying). Flowers open and close, the tides come in and out, we wake and sleep and we breathe in and out. The ying/yang is a constant and continual flow of this energy, when it is disrupted, pain and disease can manifest.

In Chinese medicine yin/yang is used to describe and distinguish patterns of disharmony. Within the body the back is considered yang and the front is Yin, the lower pars are also yin and the upper parts yang. The interior of the body is ying and the exterior yang.

The symbol above demonstrates the relationship of ying/yang. Yang has its root in yin and yin has its root in yang. Without yin, yang cannot rise and without yang, yin cannot arise. Yin alone cannot rise and yang alone cannot rise. Both ying and yang are inseparable.

As long as the forces of Yin and Yang are balanced the individual is in a state of good health. However if an imbalance in the flow of energy arises, an illness occurs. There are more than 360 specific points along the meridians called "Acupoints" connected to organs or systems in the body. Needling produces subjective sensations like pain, numbness, soreness, heaviness and distension. The beneficial effects of acupuncture are pain-relieving effects, sedation effects, maintaining the normal balance of the body and improving the immunity of the body.

When acupuncture points are stimulated, it changes the flow of bioelectrical energy along the nerves and releases neurotransmitters, primarily endorphins, which are the body's pain relievers, the same chemical that produces a sense of relaxation. The release of painkilling endorphins plays a big role in the functioning of the hormonal system. This is why acupuncture works well for headache, neck pain, back pain and arthritis. Endorphin release through acupuncture not only relaxes the whole body but also regulates serotonin in the brain. This is why depression is often effectively treated with acupuncture.

People often are apprehensive about using a treatment such as acupuncture for their illnesses. They are scared to insert the needles into their body. In reality, the needles for acupuncture are very different from the conventional hypodermic needles.

Acupuncture needles do not have a cutting end like most hypodermic needles. These needles are gently placed at the gateways of the body, and when this is done people may feel a sting but not real pain.

Most patients find the treatment very relaxing. As a sign of obtaining the vital energy, some patients may have a slight sensation of soreness, numbness, distention, or heaviness around the needles. However, there is no harmful effect from the therapy in common practice. Therefore, people who suffer from lingering or chronic diseases and do not respond well to orthodox medicine are particularly encouraged to try this promising Chinese art of healing.

Acupuncture treatment is based on an individualized pattern diagnosis as well as a disease diagnosis. Each person is unique. Therefore, the treatment plan is individualized. The frequency of subsequent visits varies, depending on the type of illness, the severity of the condition, the duration of sickness, and patient's response to the treatment.

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