What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a Latin word meaning acus = needle, punctum = puncture. It is a widely used medicine (especially in Asia) in which needles are inserted at certain points in the subcutaneous connective tissue.

How does acupuncture work:

The treatment is based on the following: in our body are invisible pathways called meridians, through which energy flows. These energies are called Yin and Yang. These opposing forces continuously overlap but can also become unbalanced. The meridians each correspond to an organ. All meridians together form an energy network, on which the acupuncture points are located. Each of these points is in contact with an organ or with a specific function. If you are not 'healthy', the practitioner can use needles to slow down or stimulate certain energies.

Origin

Traditionally, acupuncture comes from the region of China and has evolved there over thousands of years and spread throughout Asia. After the Chinese revolution, the Mao government standardized Chinese medicine. As a result, countries like Taiwan, Japan, and Korea have a slightly different form of acupuncture than those from China.

Interesting fact is that research on the iceman Ötzi who lived 5300 years ago and was found in 1991 in the Italian Alps showed that he had “tattoos” on points, which we can recognize as acupuncture points. Scientists therefore think that acupuncture was already used here in the West.

Therapy

The treatment is tailor-made. Not only the symptom, but also the source of the problem can be addressed. This is an essential difference from the more chemical-oriented Western medicine.

Western diagnosis

Of course, the Western diagnosis is first looked at to rule out serious conditions or to give advice for a doctor's visit. It is advisable to first visit your doctor in case of serious complaints.

Studies by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the US have shown that acupuncture is very effective (either on its own or as an adjunct to Western therapies) in treating the following complaints:

Nausea from anesthesia and chemotherapy, dental pain after treatment, addiction, headache, menstrual pain and PMS, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, connective tissue pain, osteoarthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, and rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.

There is still a lot of scientific research being done on acupuncture, so this list is getting longer.

But in practice we see that acupuncture is very effective for: stress and fatigue, all kinds of pain, fertility problems, erection problems, ringing in the ears / tinnitus, flu, hay fever, menopause, insomnia / jet lag, etc.

Cupping

Cupping is a technique in which glass or plastic jars (cups) are vacuumed onto the skin. This can be done by means of heat (fire cupping) or with a vacuum pump. The practitioner can choose to move these cups over the skin, which creates a reverse massage, instead of pressing on the body and thus stimulating the different tissues. a vacuum is “pulled” to the skin, which is experienced as very pleasant by many people. With this technique, the subcutaneous connective tissue (fascia) is greatly stimulated. This technique is called cupping massage or “running cups”.

Another technique is to apply the cups and not to move them. Here you apply several cups to the body and leave them in place.

Both techniques are intended to boost energy (Qi), and either technique can leave red or purple streaks or spots. These red or bruised spots can be compared to a hickey, unlike a bruise from bumps. The idea behind these places is that the energy does not flow well here and through cupping is stimulated.

Cupping is experienced by many people as very pleasant and relaxed. Cupping is also widely used by top athletes for recovery between or after competitions.

Cupping has a long history and is used in various cultures worldwide.

Cupping is very suitable for complaints such as:

  • Burnout / stress

  • Fatigue Complaints

  • Sore/stuck muscles

  • Shoulder/neck complaints

  • Joint complaints

  • back problems

  • blood flow disorder

  • Starting cold

  • overload

  • rheumatism

  • Asthma

  • Migraine

  • Cellulite

  • fluid buildup

Chinese body massage TuiNa

TuiNa (pronounced: tweena) is a Chinese massage technique that has been practiced for about 2,200 years. The therapist massages by pushing, tapping, and squeezing with fingers, palms, fists, and elbows.

As with the Japanese variant of shiatsu, tuiNa is about dissolving blockages in the tissue. The therapist applies pressure to the meridians and specific points, allowing qi and blood to flow freely and evenly throughout the body. 

In this way, tuiNa stimulates the body's self-healing capacity, making the treatment both preventive and curative.

TuiNa helps to relax but can also provide relief from various physical and emotional complaints, such as migraine, chronic pain, muscle tension, fibromyalgia, muscle and nerve pain, back and neck complaints, poor circulation, digestive problems, stress and joint problems such as rheumatism and osteoarthritis.

Bamboo Massage

Bamboo massage uses the same techniques as TuiNa massage, only here we use bamboo sticks to manipulate the body instead of the hands and arms.