Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an ancient system of healing, which has evolved over the last 3,000 years. 

TCM is based on the Chinese philosophy and perspective of the world around us, including how the body and the processes of disease are perceived. The aim of an acupuncture treatment is to bring the person back into balance and thereby activate the body's self-healing abilities. 

TCM 's view of the world and the human being are holistic, meaning the individual as well as the disease can be understood only in the context and as part of the whole. Thus, in order to improve the patient's condition, TCM aims to rebalance the whole, and not just to relieve the symptoms of the particular disease. This is done by optimising the circulation of Qi, the life energy, balancing Yin and Yang are very essential, taking into account the relationship of the five elements (or processes) and the condition of the internal Zang Fu organs.

Acupuncture is based on the concepts of Qi and the meridian, the energy channels, through which the Qi flows, thus supporting and controlling the essential processes in the body. An acupuncture treatment uses extremely thin needles in order to access the acupuncture points located along the energy channels (on the hands, feet the head or the rest of the body), thus manipulating and regulating the energy flowing through the body. The reactions that are triggered in the body can reduce pain or cause biochemical changes that allow the body to heal faster. All in all, acupuncture also promotes general well-being.

In case of pain, and especially musculoskeletal pain, the acupuncturist might connect the acupuncture needles to electrodes in order to stimulate the working of these needles even further. Electro acupuncture has been proven to be extremely efficient in pain management. 

The therapist may also choose to apply cupping treatment or Moxa, in accordance with the complaint and the patient's condition.

Ear acupuncture seeds or stickers might be added to support the treatment in the clinic and continue to stimulate the internal organs and pathways at home.

TCM can be an addition to regular Western treatment, and often complements other Western medicine strategies as well as pharmacotherapy you might have been prescribed by your doctor. 

Chinese medicine has been recognised by the WHO (the World Heath Organization), which has stated that:

“Acupuncture remains the most common form of traditional medicine practice, with its use acknowledged by 113 Member States in the WHO global report on traditional and complementary medicine 2019. In 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the Guidelines on basic training and safety in acupuncture.” 

“... traditional medicine has always had a role in this collective endeavour. The Declaration of Astana, renewed from the Declaration of Alma-Ata towards universal health coverage and the SDGs, reaffirms the role of traditional medicine in strengthening primary health care, a cornerstone of health systems, in pursuit of health for all… Taking note of the growing importance of traditional medicine in the provision of health care nationally and globally, WHO and its Member States have strived to explore ways to integrate, as appropriate, safe and evidence-based traditional and complementary medicine services within national or subnational health systems…”

Electro-acupuncture is a modern tool used by acupuncturists, where an electric device sends small electric currents to electrodes attached to needles inserted in the acupuncture points and stimulates them. The effect of electro-acupuncture is parallel to the one traditional acupuncture can produce by constantly stimulating the acupuncture needles, but has the benefit of being able to do so on a few needles simultaneously and being very accurate in the amount of stimulation performed. This enhances the treatment and grants your therapist with an additional tool in order to alleviate certain symptoms. ‌

Electro acupuncture is beneficial for musculo-skeletal injuries, stiffness and pain, including chronic pain, neurological diseases, muscle spans, paralysis and more, and sometimes even used to stimulate needles in cases of mental and emotional complaints.

Cupping is an ancient therapeutic method, in which cups made of glass, bamboo or plastic are applied to the skin.

By briefly heating the cup or sucking out the air under the cup, local vacuum is created, with the goal of improving the local circulation, expelling pathogens, eliminating blood stagnation and relieving pain.

This method is very effective for improving and relieving shoulder, neck and back ache complaints as well as clearing viruses (like the common cold).

Cupping may be applied as a treatment on its own or may be combined with an acupuncture treatment.