Acupuncture: an ancient healing method

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture is playing a very important role as a healing treatment for humans. The body is covered with energy networks called meridians. These ensure the proper circulation of blood, nutrients, and energy throughout the body.

In which cases is it indicated?

Stress, diet, or heredity can cause weakness to a meridian in one person. In another, the energy may be blocked and have difficulty circulating. Symptoms related to the affected meridian may appear. Acupuncture will then help to restore the flow of energy in the meridian and thus relieve the symptoms.

The Energy assessment

During an acupuncture session, the acupuncturist will ask several questions about the person’s health to make what is called an ‘energy assessment’. The acupuncturist will try to identify the meridians in which the energy flows less well or in too small quantities. Often the acupuncturist will take the patient’s pulse and observe the tongue, as these reflect what is going on inside the body.

The acupuncturist’s method

Following this assessment, the acupuncturist will select a series of points on the four limbs, stomach, face, and back to relieve the person’s symptoms and address the cause of the problem. The acupuncturist will then insert thin, pre-sterilized, disposable needles into the selected points. The insertion of them is virtually painless, and the sensation is like a mosquito bite. The acupuncturist may also use cupping, electrical stimulation, moxa, and magnets, or finish the healing with a massage to provide the most relief possible.

A complete acupuncture treatment

An average treatment lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. People usually come out relaxed and side effects are quite rare. After the session, a person may feel slightly tired, dizzy, or cold. Sometimes pain can increase after the first healing, but it usually subsides quickly. It is important to tell the acupuncturist about any health problems you are aware of or if you are taking any medications or natural products.

The benefits of acupuncture

Acupuncture will relieve disorders in many systems of the body. Whether it is digestive problems, menstrual, sleep disorders, menopause, muscle pain, or allergies, the acupuncturist will usually help reduce the symptoms. Patients are normally suggested to have a series of four treatments to start with, one per week, before deciding whether acupuncture is effective for them. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is believed that the effect of treatments is cumulative. So, the more you do, the longer the effects last. When the symptoms start to diminish, the therapist will gradually limit the sessions.

Acupuncture – Fertility and IVF

Some cases of infertility of so-called “unknown causes” or which are not justified in traditional medicine, can be explained in Chinese medicine. Several factors such as stress, emotions, overwork, inadequate nutrition, insufficient or poorly distributed energy can contribute to fertility problems. Acupuncture is the ideal method to restore this balance, which is essential to prepare the body for IVF or artificial insemination. Acupuncture can also be an answer to certain diagnosed problems, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, irregular menstrual cycle, etc. Whether used alone or in combination with hormonal therapy, acupuncture remains a solution that considerably increases the chances of success in MAP. It is recommended to schedule acupuncture sessions a few weeks before starting an IVF protocol, to prepare your body and reduce your stress.

The Greek state has approved, through the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the performance of acupuncture only by doctors trained and certified in acupuncture (the practice of acupuncture from people who do not have a degree from the Medical School of a Greek University, or another School recognized by the Greek state, is explicitly considered a violation of the law).