Therapies

Acupuncture

Acupuncture (lat.: acus = needle, pungere = prick) is an invasive form of therapy in Chinese Medicine.

Treatment by acupuncture means pricking fine needles into the skin in specific areas of the body. The resulting stimulation influences the flow of Qi within the body.

Qi is central to the terminology of Chinese Medicine. It is best translated with “inner breath” or “life energy”. In the terms of conventional medicine, Qi can be regarded as a sequence of vegetative nerve impulses.

The flow of Qi influences the function of organs, psyche, and vegetative nervous system. The right flow of Qi is of foremost importance to respiratory activity, bowel activity, the immune system, wound healing, skin complexion and much more.

Acupuncture Points and Meridians

Traditional Chinese Medicine describes hundreds of acupuncture points which are assigned to certain meridians or circulation channels, also called the meridian system. These points are closely related to the internal organs and the organ system.

According to traditional teaching, the Qi flows along these circulation channels and has an impact on all biological functions. The flow can be disturbed by outside or inside influences and cause disorders and diseases.

Acupuncture from a western Perspective

Several mechanisms are described to explain the effects of acupuncture from a western perspective. Among them are:

Medicinal Therapy

The roots of Chinese medicinal therapy reach back as far as 2000 years. Several thousands of medicinal herbs, minerals, and animal components are documented. The herbal mixtures prescribed by us are ground into teas. Our compositions are mixed with herbal and mineral ingredients only. They are precisely adapted to the specific diagnosis of the individual patient.

We co-operate with pharmacies which have specialized on Chinese herbs. Your individual composition is prepared there. All Chinese herbs are tested and certified according to western standards and therefore free of pollutants or harmful substances. You will receive detailed instructions on how to prepare the herbal tea (decoction) that will be part of your daily diet at home.

Manual Therapy

Tuina
Different types of massage techniques are part of Chinese Medicine. They are called Tuina, based on the Chinese words “tui”, which means to push, and “na”, which means to pull. Acupuncture points are pressed, muscles and joints are stretched, the meridians are knocked upon and rubbed. Indications for this form of therapy are muscular tensions, backaches, and pains of the joints. Tuina is often combined with acupuncture.

Foot reflexology massage
With this manual massage treatment the whole organism will be reached by the stimulation of reflex points on the foot.

Food Therapy

Respiration and nutrition have a positive influence on the Qi. In Chinese dietetics, foods are assigned to the five phases of change. According to the individual diagnosis, some foods are better suited than others.

We offer an individual consultation in which we inform about dietary mistakes from the perspective of Chinese Medicine. Depending on the Chinese diagnosis, we also suggest specific recipes.

Respiratory Training and Exercise (Qigong)

Qigong (Qi = inner breath, gong = work, exercise, care) is a collective expression for various exercises which serve to heighten sensitivity for one’s own body. An awareness for breathing and standing is trained alone or within a group. The exercises are performed standing, lying down or while seated. Next to being a physical training, Qigong is also performed as a meditative activity.

We will show our patients some of the exercises after treatment. They can be performed at home and enforce and prolong the effects of acupuncture.

We also offer a regular Qigong course on Wednesdays in our practice. See here for more details.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion, also called Moxa therapy, is the heating of acupuncture points by burning dryed mugwort. The warmth serves to free blockades which were caused by invasive cold. Chronic illnesses, joint aches, weakness, and much more are treated with Moxa’s comforting warmth.

Cupping

By putting glass jars on specific places on the body, we create areas of low pressure on the skin. This activates the connective tissue and frees blockades in the flow of Qi.