AURICULOTHERAPY - ear acupuncture

Definition

Auriculotherapy, also called ear acupuncture, applies the principles of acupuncture to specific points on the ear. Auriculotherapists believe that healing processes can be promoted by working with these points on the ear, because the ear contains many blood vessels and nerve endings that, when stimulated, influence the organs and bodily functions.

Origins

Acupuncture is one of the world's oldest therapeutic techniques, having its roots in ancient China. Some of the oldest texts of Chinese medicine mention acupuncture points and massage techniques specifically for the ear. For eye problems, silver or gold earrings were sometimes prescribed in ancient times to provide constant healing stimulation at points on the ear, a practice that is still performed in some areas of the world, including Malaysia. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks believed that working with the ears could influence health. Hippocrates, the Greek father of medicine, mentioned a point on the ear that could be operated on as a birth control measure in men. In Europe in the Middle Ages, doctors prescribed surgery on a particular spot on the ear for a condition called sciatica, which causes nerve pain in the hips and thighs.

In modern times, auriculotherapy has been advanced by Paul Nogier of France. Beginning his work and experiments in the 1950s, Nogier laid out an intricate map of points on the ear that correspond to the organs and processes in the body. Nogier believed that the ear is shaped like an upside down human fetus, and the acupuncture points on the ear correspond to the body parts of the fetus shape, with the earlobe representing the head. Nogier theorized that by stimulating these points on the ear, the corresponding organs and bodily processes would be stimulated by nerve impulses. Nogier also theorized that by measuring electrical impulses on the skin of the ear, problems could be detected in the internal organs, and therefore auriculotherapy could be used to diagnose illnesses. Nogier and many followers, including ear acupuncturists in America and China, conducted scientific experiments in auriculotherapy, and showed some significant and surprising results in both treatment and diagnosis of conditions.

Benefits

Auriculotherapy is a quick, inexpensive, and non-invasive method of pain control. Ear acupuncture is also used as anesthesia during medical procedures. It is used frequently to help people overcome drug, tobacco, and alcohol addictions, and is used to treat chronic health conditions and diseases.

Description

After an initial exam and interview, auriculotherapists begin treatment by checking the patient's ears closely. Practitioners may palpate (feel) the ears with their hands, and check for any irregularities or painful spots. They may check for spots that are insensitive or numb by using cold or hot needles on the ear. They may also rely on electrical devices that measure skin resistance at points on the ear.

Several techniques may be used during auriculotherapy. Acupuncture needles are typically extremely thin. More than one needle may be used at one time, inserted deeply, or just pricked slightly along the contours of the ear. On some points, needles may be twisted or slanted to create more healing effects. Needles may be left in from a few minutes to half an hour or more.

Auriculotherapists may use permanent press needles. These small, tack-shaped needles may be attached to the ear with a narrow band of tape for several days or weeks. They are used for conditions that may require constant stimulation to acupuncture points on the ear, such as addictions, chronic (long-lasting) infections, and other health problems.

Auriculotherapists also practice electroacupuncture, which utilizes electrical devices to send small electrical currents into the ear or through the body. Electroacupuncture is used for conditions such as paralysis or nerve damage in the body, drug and alcohol addictions, and chronic pain. Auriculotherapists may also employ bleeding, which removes one or two drops of blood at certain points on the ear. Bleeding is used for health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease .

Precautions
Auriculotherapy, like all acupuncture, should not be performed on weak or exhausted patients, nor on those who are very hungry or have just eaten a meal or drunk alcohol. Auriculotherapy should not be performed on pregnant women during the first two trimesters (six months) of pregnancy, and afterwards only on very particular points on the ear for pain control. Auriculotherapy is not recommended for children under seven years old, and should be performed with care on the elderly. Ear acupuncture is to be avoided by those with anemia (low red blood cell quantity in the blood). Patients with nervous conditions should be thoroughly relaxed and prepared before treatment. For people that find acupuncture disagreeable, ear massage and acupressure may be preferable to treatment with needles.

Side effects

Some patients may experience uncomfortable side effects during or after acupuncture. Side effects that may occur after treatment include fainting, dizziness, nausea, numbness, headaches, sweating, or sharp pains throughout the body. These reactions may be due to anxiety or because acupuncture needles have been inserted too deeply or in the wrong area. Side effects can be alleviated by removing the needles and allowing the patient to lie down under supervision. Some side effects that occur during treatment, such as hot flashes, increased pulse, and temporarily increased symptoms, are considered normal and usually disappear quickly.

CUPPING

Definition

Cupping is a technique used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for certain health conditions. Glass or bamboo cups are placed on the skin with suction, which is believed to influence the flow of energy and blood in the body.

Origins

Cupping was originally called "horn therapy" in ancient China, but variations of it have been used in Turkey, Greece, France, Italy, and Eastern. Cupping has a long history of use in acupuncture practice and has been combined with bloodletting, but it is a therapy in its own right. There are specialist cupping practitioners in Malaysia.

Benefits

Cupping is a safe, non-invasive, and inexpensive technique. It is used by practitioners of Chinese medicine to treat colds, lung infections, and problems in the internal organs. It is also used to treat muscle and joint pain and spasms, particularly in the back. Cupping can be used on people for whom the injection of acupuncture needles poses a problem or risk. Cupping therapy is thought to stimulate blood circulation.

Cupping disperses and moves qi by exerting suction and pressure. Cupping is used when the qi is blocked at certain points, or when qi needs to be drawn to the surface of the body from deep within. For instance, cupping is used to treat lung infections and colds, because it is believed that the suction disperses and energizes the qi that has become blocked and stagnated in the lungs. Cups can also pull out "wind-cold" that in Chinese medicine is believed to cause lung infections.

Patients usually lie down for a cupping treatment. Cups are made of bamboo or strong glass. To create a vacuum, a flame from a lighter or a burning cotton ball is placed in an upside-down cup. When the oxygen in the cup is burned off, the cup is placed directly on the skin, where it is held in place by a surprisingly strong suction. Often, the skin inside the cup visibly rises. There are also cups available that use pumps instead of burning to create the proper suction. Cupping is generally a painless procedure.

More than one cup at a time may be used to cover an area thoroughly. Cups may be left in the same place for several minutes, or removed quickly and placed elsewhere. Cups are sometimes placed over acupuncture needles that have been inserted. Moving cupping may also be performed, by first rubbing the skin with a small amount of oil to allow the cups to slide around. After cupping, patients may remain lying down for several minutes. When cups are used to treat colds and lung infections, patients are advised to wrap up in blankets to stay warm after treatment.

Precautions

Improper glass vessels can shatter and cause injury, and cupping may cause bruising.

Side effects

Cupping causes blood to be drawn to the surface of the skin, which can cause red marks, swelling, and bruising.

KURAPUNTUR

Istilah ini mungkin masih asing di telinga kita. Kurapuntur merupakan perkataan gabungan dari KURA-KURA dan AKUPUNTUR. Teknik ini serupakan dengan akupuntur iaitu menggunakan teknik jarum yang ditusukkan pada titik tertentu di tubuh. Bezanya, akupuntur memberikan tusukan jarum pada kawasan kepala, lengan, kaki dan tubuh sedangkan tusukan kurapuntur didasarkan pada titik-titik meridian dan non meridian yang membentuk diagram kura-kura di kawasan perut. Cara ini merupakan satu terobosan baru bagi dunia pengubatan akupuntur.

Terafi ini mampu mengubati 1001 jenis penyakit sama seperti akupuntur. Prof. Dr. Hj. Shahrin mengatakan bahawa perut mempunyai lapisan lemak yang bertingkat-tingkat sehingga tidak merasa sakit bila tusukan dilakukan. Terafi ini sama juga dengan akupuntur dimana ianya boleh dilakukan kepada anak berumur 3 tahun hinggalah 90 tahun.

Teknik tusuk jarum ini yang berasal dari China, ternyata dapat menyembuhkan segala jenis penyakit, menambahkan daya tahan tubuh dan meningkatkan vitaliti. Untuk mempercepatkan proses penyembuhan, setelah jarum ditusukkan ke titik-titik yang sakit, pemanasan dari sumber energi 10 volt diberikan. Tujuannya adalah untuk merangsangkan atau menghangatkan titik akupuntur, emmeprcepatkan reaksi dan menormalkan aliran darah. Jangka masa pemanasan yang diperlukan cukup untuk 30 minit hingga 1 jam.

KURA-KURA DI ATAS PERUT
Jika dilukiskan, titik di perut tergambar seperti kura-kura yang berpusat di pusat sebagai tempurung, diikuti kepala di atas pusat, tangan dan kaki di samping kana dan kiri pusat serta ekor di bahagian bawah pusat. Setiap bahagian tubuh kura-kura ini menunjukan letak organ tubuh manusia.

Fungsi titik-titik meridian di tubuh kura-kura tersebut iaitu:

* Kepala kura-kura berhubungan dengan penyakit yang terletak di kepala, mata, hidung, otot muka dan pencernaan.

* Tangan kura-kura berhubung dengan penyakit di bahu dan tangan seperti lenguh, kesemutan, tangan tidak dapat digerakkan atau lumpuh.

* Kaki kura-kura berhubung dengan lenguh kaki, kesemutan, tidak dapat digerakkan atau lumpuh dan sakit pada pinggang.

* Perut kura-kura berhubung dengan penyakit seperti sembelit atau sukar membuang air besar, hipertensi, hipotensi, lemah daya tahan tubuh, lemah tenaga bathin, uluran dan gangguan pencernaan.

* Ekor kura-kura berhubung dengan gangguan seperti masalah ketegangan zakar, prostat dan sakit pada saluran kencing.

AKUPUNTUR MATA

Tahukah anda ada 13 titik akupuntur di sekitar mata yang berhubungan dengan organ-organ vital tubuh? Ianya bukan hanya untuk gangguan mata yang dapat disembuhkan malah penyakit paru-paru, gangguan perut, pundi kencing, liver, gangguan di tangan atau di kaki pundapat disembuhkan. Dengan pemberian rangsangan di beberapa titik di sekitar mata, stres da migrain pun akan sembuh.

Sebahagian orang menganggap akupuntur merupakan pengubatan yang menakutkan. Maklumlah kaedah ini menggunakan jarum untuk merangsang titik tertentu d organ tubuh. Kalau bahagian yang ditusuk adalah lengan, perut dan kaki mungkin ianya tidak menjadi apa-apa masalah tetapi dalam rawatan Akupuntur Mata tempat tusukannya adalah di sekitar mata. Organ penglihatan yang sarat dengan saraf-saraf penting.

Prof. Dr. Hj. Shahrin mengatakan bahawa terafi ini harus dilakukan oleh orang yang benar-benar ahli. Selain dari saraf-saraf vital, kulit di sekitar mata sangat nipis sehingga penusukannya perlu dilakukan dengan berhati-hati. Setiap daerah di sekitar mata berhubungan dengan organ tertentu sehingga diagnosis penyakit harus dilakukan secara benar dan tepat agar pengubatan sesuai dengan sasarannya.

KEUNIKKAN AKUPUNTUR

Akupuntur merupakan sebahagian penting dalam perubatan tradisional China. Pada permulaannya, akupuntur merupakan satu cara perawatan, kemudian berkembang menjadi satu cabang pelajaran. Ilmu akupuntur ialah ilmu yang mengkaji teknik dan prinsip rawatan akupuntur.Zaman sekarang teknik perubatan akupuntur sudah berkembang pesat diseluruh dunia, dan dipercayai dapat menyembuhkan berbagai penyakit seperti kelumpuhan, impotensi, dll. Selain itu juga teknik ini dapat juga membantu melangsingkan tubuh, mencantikkan kedut di wajah, dan menghilangkan jerawat. Pada dasarnya teknik perubatan ini hanya menggunakan jarum (khusus untuk akupuntur), dan kadang2 ditambahkan dengan listrik bertegangan rendah. Jarum akupuntur tidak disuntikan seperti jarum suntik yang digunakan oleh doktor, melainkan hanya dimasukan sedikit ke tubuh pada titik-titik yang dipercaya sebagai sumber penyakit. Dalam dunia akupuntur, ada lebih dari 1000 titik di tubuh manusia dan titik-titik itu berbeza pada tubuh anak kecil dan orang dewasa.