Therapies Practised at The Healing Works

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing that has been used for thousands of years to treat people with a wide range of illnesses. Its focus is on improving the overall well being of the patient, rather than just the isolated treatment of specific symptoms. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy (known as Qi) moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities of Yin and Yang, and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma.

The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.

Moxabustion

Moxabustion follows the same principles of acupuncture, but instead of needles, a refined herb Artemesia Vulgaris or Mugwort is formed into fine cones and then set alight to smoulder in order to gently heat specific acupuncture points. It is very effective in treating deficient conditions, and especially in the treatment of infertility.

Cupping

Suctions cups are placed over specific acupuncture points and are very effective at relieving muscular pains, especially those caused by stress and tension.

Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture works by mapping out the body within the form of the ear, with specific reflex points relating to the embryonic shape within the ear. There are no satisfactory explanations as to how it works, it just does, and is very effective.

Auricular acupuncture is particularly effective for immediate pain relief. A recent innovation is the publication of a protocol developed by the American Airforce for pain relief under battlefield conditions, where the administration of narcotic pain relief could compromise a mission and hence lives. This protocol provides greater than 90% pain relief within minutes and has successfully been used by myself for treating severe back pain.

Chinese Dietary Advice

The Chinese nutritional advice is based on the properties of food, whether it is warming, cooling, tonifying, etc. Specific foods can be recommended to help combat particular conditions and is especially effective for skin condition such as eczema.