Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the components of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

It consists of stimulating specific points or areas of the body, mainly by inserting thin needles in the body in order to promote the human body’s self-regulating functions and bring physical and mental health.

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Origin of the name "acupuncture"

The first mention of acupuncture in the Western world likely dates back to the 16th century, when Portuguese missionaries and traders observed the practice during their travels in Asia.

The term acupuncture itself is derived from two Latin words: "acus," meaning needle, and "punctura," meaning puncture. One of the earliest uses of this term was by Wilhelm Ten Rhyne, a Dutch physician, in 1683. He introduced it in his writings to describe the technique for a Western audience.

In Chinese, the word for acupuncture is 针灸 (zhēn jiǔ), a combination of the characters for "needle" (zhēn) and "moxibustion" (jiǔ). This reflects the traditional practice, which involves both needling and the application of heat through moxibustion.

Mentions of acupuncture in Chinese literature can be found in one of the oldest surviving books on Chinese medicine: the Huangdi Neijing (黄帝内经), or The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, written between the 5th and 2nd centuries BCE. Several passages in the text refer to both acupuncture and moxibustion.

Diagnosis

Effective acupuncture treatment begins with a thorough and individualized diagnosis. Therefore, during each consultation, the diagnosis is re-evaluated to adjust the therapeutic decision-making.

What can you expect during diagnosis:

Inquiry: As part of a holistic approach, this process helps identify physical or mental imbalances that may be affecting your well-being. While this will be more in-depth during the first consultation, it remains an important aspect of each visit.
Palpation: This involves palpating the body to identify painful or sore areas, providing insights into your condition.
Pulse Diagnosis: By assessing the quality, rhythm, and strength of your pulse, we can gauge your overall health and the flow of energy (qi) throughout your body.
Tongue Diagnosis: The appearance, color, and coating of your tongue can provide valuable insights into your internal health and organ function.

Hygiene

Hygiene in acupuncture is crucial for ensuring patient safety, preventing infections, and maintaining a high standard of care.

In our practice, all acupuncture needles come in sterilized, single-use packages, and after a needle is used once, it is disposed of immediately.

The practitioner’s hands are washed and disinfected prior to needling. The insertion technique ensures that the part of the needle that penetrates the body is never touched, maintaining its sterility until it enters the skin. Needles are discarded immediately in a special container to avoid accidental needlesticks or injuries.

All equipment and tools that are reused are disinfected after each use. The treatment area is cleaned and disinfected after each session, and proper ventilation is maintained to ensure adequate air quality for a healthy environment. In certain cases, the acupuncturist may also wear gloves to further enhance hygiene, especially when dealing with high-risk patients.