Meridian Therapy – The Rise of Needless Acupuncture Treatments
Traditional Chinese medicine has become widely accepted by the western world due to its effectiveness, non-invasive nature, and safety. Most people would instead opt for complementary and alternative medicine than go through expensive surgery. Moreover, it is relatively painless. A notable example is meridian therapy.
Traditional Chinese medicine explains that health results from the life force flow- also called the qi, pronounced “chi” -through the human body. The free-flowing movement of the qi through the body is responsible for good health. In the event of a blockage or an impediment to qi’s free flow, sickness and illness may occur.
The qi flows through the body through meridian and pathways along the human body. The meridians regulate the movement of the qi. Whenever a person falls sick, the meridian can be manipulated through energy medicine to kickstart the qi’s flow to promote healing. Acupuncture, Reiki, Qigong, and therapeutic touch could be used to accomplish this. I’ll be talking about Acupuncture and meridian therapy – and how you can benefit from them.
The Meridians
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the most common energy healing techniques. It has proven to be beneficial for diverse diseases, symptoms, and conditions such as body pains, migraines, high and low blood pressure, sprains, and rheumatism, to mention a few. It is one of the many skills that is now being used in Western medicine as part of an integrated approach to managing pain, inflammation, mental health, and general wellbeing.
It involves inserting thin needles through a person’s skin at specific points on the body to various depths to balance vital energy. Inserting needles into these meridian points with appropriate combinations restores order to the free-flowing movement of the qi. These points on the body are called meridians or acupuncture points. The meridians are located on the acupuncture points where nerves, muscles, and connective tissue can be easily stimulated. It is also believed that twelve major meridians connect the whole network of organs linking communication systems throughout the body.
History of Acupuncture
Acupuncture and meridian therapy is believed to have been originated in China. The first mention can be found in documents dating from a few hundred years leading up to the Common Era. More studies showed that it was devised before 2500 BCE in China. By the late 20th century, it had spread to many other areas of the world. Before needles, sharpened stones and bones were used as instruments for acupuncture treatment.
How Acupuncture works
How Acupuncture works
The physician inserts the needles at a considerable distance; for example, a needle inserted into the thumb’s pad provides analgesia in the abdomen. Also, successive points on a specific meridian may affect widely different areas or conditions; e.g., the first six meridian points of the lung deals primarily with swollen joints, excessive heat in joints, bleeding of the nose, heart pains, mental depression, and inability to stretch the arms above the head. The location of the meridian points is mastered by the use of innumerable diagrams and models.
As helpful as Acupuncture is for treating a wide variety of illnesses, it is shunned by many due to its invasive nature. Frankly speaking, it looks painful. When people think of the word “acupuncture,” they generally have the image of needles flash through their minds. For the reasons, meridian therapy was introduced to enjoy the benefits of Acupuncture without hands. People who feel uneasy with having needles probing their skin can utilize needless acupuncture techniques to achieve the same effects.
Meridian Therapy
The growing popularity of acupuncture therapy triggered needless acupuncture therapy, which has been favoured over regular Acupuncture. Needless Acupuncture (or meridian therapy) utilizes non-invasive techniques to stimulate the meridian points on the body to improve qi circulation in and around the body. Instead of using conventional needles, the therapist uses other non-invasive tools to stimulate the meridians. In some instances, the hands may be enough to bring about the desired effects. Notable examples of the meridian therapy;
• Toyohari meridian therapy
• Acupressure (finger pressure)
• Emotional freedom technique (tapping therapy)
• Moxibustion and cupping
• Laser acupuncture
Toyohari meridian therapy
The Toyohari meridian therapy differs from the current Chinese Traditional Acupuncture in terms of the needling techniques. However, there is no piercing or probing involved. Instead, the qi is manipulated at the meridian at the skin’s surface with the needle’s tip. Or in some instances, the needle is not required to touch the skin. Doing this provides the same benefit that regular Acupuncture offers.
Acupressure
Acupressure is another meridian therapy that offers the benefits of Acupuncture without the needles. The acupressure practitioners manipulate the acupuncture points with their palms, elbows, feet, or special devices to pressure the body’s meridian points. It may also involve stretching or acupressure massage. Acupressure restores health and balances the body’s energy channels.
Emotional freedom technique (tapping therapy)
The tapping therapy works on the principle that tapping can provide balance to the human biofield. According to Donna Eden, a well-renowned alternative healing expert, “Tapping anywhere on the human body while mentally activating a troubling memory or situation has a calming effect.” Tapping at meridian points provides control to the body’s energy system, sending signals to all parts of the body to improve your health.
By tapping these energy meridians, practitioners can dispel energy blockages in the body to promote psychological problems such as fear, addiction, anger, anxiety, and more.
Acupressure
Moxibustion and cupping
Moxibustion and cupping is a meridian therapy that involves warming and placing cups to remove stagnation and stimulate qi’s flow throughout the body. The cups are placed along with the acupuncture points along the energy meridian. Warming the air within the cup creates a vacuum that pulls the skin into the cup. Doing this clears the qi blockage, increases blood flow, and stimulates healing.
Laser Acupuncture
Laser acupuncture uses a non-thermal, low-intensity laser to stimulate the acupuncture points. It is promoted as a safer, pain-free alternative to the traditional acupuncture techniques with minimal adverse effects and greater versatility.
Moxibustion and cupping
Benefits of Meridian therapy
Meridian therapy has proven effective against a wide range of health issues such as sleep problems, muscular and neurological disorders, digestive disorders, respiratory issues, and mental issues. It has positive effects on your mental state; it can revitalize your mood, alleviate depression and relieve chronic pains.
Needless Acupuncture is also employed as an alternative treatment for hormone imbalance such as premenstrual syndrome, irregular menstruation, menopause, and infertility. It also enhances and improves the immune system.
Ultimately, Meridian therapy provides the same benefits as “normal” Acupuncture- just without the needles.
