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Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anna Krypczyk BA MSc. Dip. Ac Dip.
CHM.
What is Acupuncture?
Originally from China, acupuncture
has been practised in the East for centuries. It is
part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which includeds
herbal medicine, massage, Qi Gong and diet.
Acupuncture uses fine needles to stimulate
invisible lines of energy (called meridians) running
beneath the surface of the skin. According to Chinese
philosophy, our body's health is dependent on the body's
motivating energy (Qi) moving in a smooth and balanced
way through these meridians. By inserting fine needles
into the meridians a practitioner can stimulate the
body's own healing response and help restore natural
balance.
Many things can upset the balance
of the body and disturb the flow of Qi, they include:
| Emotional states |
Diet |
| Drugs |
Trauma |
| Weather conditions |
Hereditary factors |
| Exercise & rest |
Epidemics |
Your practitioner will take these
factors into considerationwhen determining the likely
causes of your problem.
What can Acupuncture treat?
Although acupuncture cannot help everyone,
it can treat a wide range of problems. In 1979 the World
Health Organisation drew up the following list of diseases
responsive to acupuncture:
| Asthma |
Common Cold |
| Acute sinusitis |
Acute tonsillitis |
| Acute rhinitis |
Acute bronchitis |
| Pharyngitis |
Migraine |
| Headaches |
Facial Palsy |
| Trigeminal neuralgia |
Gingivitis |
| Peripheral neuropathy |
Cystitis |
| Menieres disease |
Frozen shoulder |
| Intercostal neuralgia |
Tennis elbow |
| Sciatica |
Low back pain |
| Osteoarthritis |
Gastritis |
| Diarrhoea/Constipation |
Enuresis |
| Infertility |
Impotence |
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Clinical Experience
Shows acupuncture can be useful for
:
Gynaecological problems such as PMT,
painful menstruation, amenorrhoea, menorrhagia, menopausal
symptoms, insomnia, dizziness, post viral fatigue, ME,
MS, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, stress
related illness, skin problems, palpitations, tinnitus,
depression etc
Having a treatment
Initial consultation and treatment
takes one and a half hours. This involves taking a case
history, not only of present problems but any past health
problems as well as diet, lifestyle, sleep patterns
and emotional feelings.
By analysing this information the
practitioner will make a diagnosis and treatment begins.
Treatment may include massage, cupping or moxibustion
(a warming treatment using smouldering herbs) as well
as acupuncture.
Chinese herbs may also be recommended.
(See RCHM leaflets for detail of this treatment).
Acupuncture needles used are indiviually
packed and are disposed of immediately after use.
Patients donating blood will require
a certificate from the acupuncture practitioner.
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'The
principle aim of acupuncture in treating the whole
person is to recover the equilibrium between the
physical, emotional and spiritual aspect of the
individual'
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About Anna Krypczyk
After four years of training in Traditional
Chinese Medicine at the Northern College of Acupuncture
in York, I graduated in 2000 and set up an acupuncture
practise at Remedy Centre for Health, Preston, having
completed a year pre-registration at Towngate Complimetary
Clinic, Leyland. After a further three years of study
I obtained the diploma in Chinese Herbal Medicine.
I have Chinese herbs either in conjunction
with acupuncture or as a seperate treatment.
I am a locum supervisor in acupuncture
at the Northern College of Acupuncture. Formerly, I
worked as a biomedical scientist for the NHS in hospitals
throughout the country which culminated in 1986 of taking
technical charge of the Cellular Pathology department
at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
I am a member of the British Acupuncture
Council and the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine
and I am fully commited to continual professional development
(CPD).
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