Traditional Chinese acupuncture is one of the oldest and continuously practised systems of medicine in the world. This unique medical system was developed through empirical observation by the Chinese over thousands of years. It has been developed, tested, researched and refined over centuries to give us a complex and detailed understanding of the body's energetic balance. It is still used in mainstream healthcare in China today, as a stand-alone therapy and in combination with conventional western medicine to treat a wide range of diseases and various kinds of pain. Due to its effectiveness, traditional acupuncture is now accepted and practised all over the world and clinical trials are confirming its efficacy. In the UK more and more people are finding out what acupuncture can do for them. It is now integrated within the NHS health care system with the NICE guidelines recommending acupuncture for lower back pain, tension headache/migraines, neck pain or chronic neck pain and improvement in the symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome. Acupuncture recognises a 'vital energy flow' (known as Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body. The main characteristic of "Qi" is that it moves continually, circulating endlessly and timelessly. In order for full health, this energy flow should be perfectly balanced with no areas of blockage, excess or deficiency. We, as human beings are in a constant state of movement and transformation and the quality of our energy changes through the course of our lives. When our energy becomes depleted or blocked, health can deteriorate.
