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Acupuncture is based on the theory of yin and yang, which are not absolute
but relative. Yin and yang are the opposites that make the whole. Yin is
conceptualized as being cold, dark and female. Yang is warm, light and male.
Neither of them can exist in isolation. These two opposites are not stationary,
but in constant motion. The interaction of yin and yang produces "Qi", the
bipolar energy. Life is possible only because of the interplay between these
forces. The body, mind and emotions are all subject to the influences of yin and
yang. Each organ has an element of yin and yang within it. The histological
structures and nutrients are yin, and the functional activities are yang. Some
organs are predominantly yang in their functions, such as the liver, while
others are predominantly yin, such as the kidney. Even though one organ may be
predominantly yin (or yang) in nature, the balance of yin and yang is maintained
in the whole healthy body because the sum total of the yin and yang will be in a
balance. Historically, acupuncture points were believed to be the holes that allow
entry into channels. These holes provide us gateways to influence, redirect,
increase, or decrease body's vital substance, Qi, thus correcting many of the
imbalances.
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The efficacy of acupuncture, especially for relieving
pain, has been proved beyond doubt and is no longer a question today. According
to the Gate Control Theory, pain signals pass through a number of high-traffic 'gates' in the spinal
chord, as they move from the area of injury upward into the brain. Like a road
or highway,these nerves can handle only a limited number of nerve signals at a
particular time. |
Under normal circumstances,this gate is wide open and pain
impulses get through very easily. But when acupuncture needling is carried out,
another stream of non- painful impulse flow towards the spinal chord. This
causes overcrowding at the gates, resulting in jamming. This competitive
inhibition of pain impulses leads to an analgesic effect and no pain is felt at
the level of brain.
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