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Acupuncture history, theory and practice
Acupuncture originated in Ancient China, possibly about 4,000 years ago. The oldest known medical text book, the 'Huang-Ti
Nei-Jing Tsu-Wen', which outlines the theory and practice of acupuncture as a part of Tradtional Chinese Medicine (TCM), was
written in Q & A format.
Sharpened spikes of bone were probably the first needles but early experiments would have been with the effects
on pain and illness of pressure in certain places, possibly a chance discovery at first. Needling would have developed from
there on.
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The theory upon which we base our work is that energy flows thoughout the body, following definable routes known as 'channels'
or 'meridians'. The rhythmical flow of energy follows a 24-hour cycle (circadian rhythm). If the normal and regular flow is
interrupted or disturbed for any reason, whether through trauma or other 'pernicious influence', then disease (dis-ease) will
follow.
In health, this energy is also in a balance betwen 'yin' and 'yang', the eternal opposites. In illness, this balance
is disturbed.
The work of the acupuncturist is to restore energy balance, flow and rhythm to the body, to enable it to carry out
its healing processes. Any potential obstacles to recovery must be removed and diet must be optimised for the patient. The
ancient practitioners also used spinal manipulation, as an integral part of their treatments.
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The acupuncture vet must attempt to restore balance, flow and rhythm to the patient's body, to enable it to heal itself.
This is not done by needling (or other point-stimulation) alone, sometimes at places in the body remote from the perceived
site of the problem. We also use of internal medicine, whether using herbs or integrated homeopathic medicine and make
such alterations to lifestyle and diet as are necessary to remove healing obstacles and appropriately nourish the
body. Chiropractic manipulation, done at the same time, also appears to be an essential bed-fellow. This is clearly a
truly 'holistic' practice, rooted in a culture thousands of years old.
Some Western interpretations of acupuncture use simple needling, without the holistic foundation that was an integral
part of this ancient form of medicine. Whether using ancient philosophy or modern holistic practice, we believe it essential
to explore diet, lifestyle and internal medicine, along with chiropractic manipulation and needling, for best results.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, some of the ancient remedies do not fit in with the philosophy of the AVMC.
At the AVMC, we do not use any animal-unfriendly or ecology-unfriendly remedies
or methods.
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