Is Acupuncture Spiritual

Because acupuncture can concurrently touch our many dynamic layers as people, connect and balance our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual energy, and help us harmonize with the rhythm of nature and the world around us, it is a potent healing therapy.

Can Christians go for acupuncture?

• Christians have a responsibility to alleviate suffering. Compassion should motivate us to investigate any legal and effective healing instrument or practice.
• Acupuncture works by reawakening, strengthening, and directing the body's natural ability to heal itself, thus it's not magic or sorcery.
• Although the notions of qi, yin, and yang are unfamiliar to the Western mind, they are not intrinsically opposed to Christian beliefs.
• The Chinese term qi has no clear English meaning, however it is associated with breath, air, and wind. In Hebrew, the term ruach refers to the God-given animating force characterized by reason, volition, and conscience.
• The concept of yin and yang is founded on the ancient Chinese observation that opposite forces are complementary, interrelated, interdependent, and constantly giving rise to one another in every element of Creation.
• The terms yin and yang are used to describe natural events in a value-neutral fashion. Yin and yang are not bad and good in the same way that females are evil and males are good, or summer is good and winter is evil.
• Despite the fact that the Catholic Church has not issued an official statement on acupuncture, we do know that the current Pope sought (and profited from) treatment.
• Because acupuncture does not rely on a spiritual mechanism, the practitioner's faith is unimportant. A Christian should not be concerned about their acupuncturist's faith commitment any more than they should be concerned about their dentist or medical doctor's faith commitment.
• Christians who denigrate Chinese medicine as anti-Christian due to its Taoist roots frequently fail to do the same with Western medicine.
• Pagan thought shaped many areas of Western society, including Western medicine. This isn't to say that they aren't valuable.
• Western and Eastern medicine have extremely distinct perspectives on the human body and person.
• Western medicine's mechanistic perspective makes it particularly well-suited to treating some problems while being less well-suited to treating others.
• Eastern medicine is an excellent complement to Western medicine since the illnesses that Western medicine struggles to address are frequently conditions that Eastern medicine excels at treating.
• In His Providence, God has provided us with two complimentary medical systems to use as needed.

* The human person, formed in God's image, is a physical and spiritual entity. When the biblical account supports that, it uses symbolic language to represent this fact “The Lord God then created man out of dust from the ground and breathed life into his nostrils, transforming him into a living person.” As a result, God wills man in his entirety. The phrase “sacred Scripture” is used in the Bible “The term “soul” is frequently used to refer to human life or the entire human person. However, “Soul” also refers to a person's innermost self, the most valuable component of him, the aspect by which he is most closely resembling God: “The term “soul” refers to a person's spiritual being. The dignity of the human body is shared “It is a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul, and it is the entire human person that is destined to become a temple of the Spirit in the body of Christ. Man is a unity, even though he is made up of body and spirit. He encapsulates the aspects of the material universe in himself through his physical state. They are thus brought to their highest perfection through him, and they can freely pay praise to the Creator. As a result, man should not detest his physical existence. Rather, because God made it and will raise it up on the last day, he is obligated to view his body as good and to hold it in high respect. The soul and body are so intertwined that one must consider the soul to be the body “In man, spirit and matter are not two natures united, but rather their union forms a single nature; the body made of matter becomes a living, human body because of its spiritual soul; spirit and matter are not two natures united, but rather their union forms a single nature.

Is acupuncture a magic?

Surprisingly, the spectrum of experiences among our responders was quite diverse. In terms of effectiveness, some compared it to magic, while others dismissed it as pointless.

Andy Walton, 46, had this to say: “I was pessimistic at first, but my back had greatly improved following the treatment. It's only possible to describe it as magical. I'm not sure how it works, but it does. Acupuncture will continue to be a part of my life despite the nice advice. I've used it for a variety of back ailments and it's always worked for me.”

On the other hand, Neil, 48, who suffers from spondylolisthesis and is constantly in agony, found it made no difference. He found the experience to be rather unpleasant, and came to the conclusion that acupuncture should not be given on the NHS if the evidence did not support its utility.

Even among those treated for the same diseases, there was a wide range of outcomes. For example, Judith, 70, felt that acupuncture was ineffective for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Kylie, 67, on the other hand, says: “It worked wonders for rheumatoid arthritis. My fingers were stuck, and it freed them up and alleviated the discomfort for several days after the first session, and then again for several days after the second. After that, I signed up for a class. Chinese herbal tablets, patches, and topically applied oil, all of which contained the same ingredients, were also employed. It had a significant impact.”

Why do people cry during acupuncture?

Coming in during a difficult time calms them down. It aids the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Endorphins also cause a broad sense of well-being.

Can acupuncture release emotions?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic healthcare method that has been practiced for over 2000 years. The technique employs a natural healing approach, promoting the body's innate healing abilities while focusing on the body's relationship to the mind and soul (Dr. Weil, n.d.). Traditional Chinese Medicine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, tries to balance the patient's body by working on their external environment, emotions, and lifestyle aspects such as diet and exercise. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses a variety of balance therapies, some of which are listed below:

• Acupuncture is a technique that involves inserting tiny needles into the skin in certain patterns to stimulate various regions of the body.
• Cupping Therapy is a technique that involves applying hot glass cups to the skin and creating suction to stimulate the flow of energy.

Traditional Chinese Therapies: Traditional Chinese Medicine's goal is best described by Dr. Weil, a physician and author who is well-versed in alternative medicine:

“Seasons, weather, time of day, our nutrition, and mental states are all factors in how the human body interacts with life and the environment, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. It appears that the key to health is the harmonious and balanced functioning of the body, mind, and spirit, and that the balance of health is dependent on the free flow of qi (pronounced chee) or life energy “Meridians are passageways that carry “life energy” throughout the body. Disease, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, is caused by interruptions in the flow of qi” (Dr. Weil, n.d.).

To attain the equilibrium suggested by Dr. Weil, Chinese medicine employs a variety of treatment techniques. Let's have a look at a few of them, shall we?

Making Your First Impression: A consultation will most likely be your first visit to an acupuncturist. Your practitioner will want to acquire a complete understanding of your pain, discomfort, and any other problems during this session in order to establish the optimal treatment plan for you.

This usually entails a casual discussion about your overall health, including eating and sleeping habits, medical history, mental well-being, and, if applicable, information on menstrual cycles and previous pregnancies.

Some of the questions you'll be asked may seem irrelevant to your current problem, but that's on purpose. Traditional Chinese Medicine addresses overall health rather than just treating symptoms, and the information you offer will help your practitioner develop a holistic picture of your health in order to create a comprehensive treatment plan (Dr. Weil, n.d.). Let's talk about the possibility of an assessment as part of your consultation…

Initial Assessment: After you've had a chance to introduce yourself and share some of your medical history and current health issues, your practitioner will conduct an initial assessment. Checking your pulse, sometimes looking at your tongue for color and coating, and, in certain situations, a quick physical examination if your concerns justify one are all part of this process. Your practitioner will be able to better offer your specific therapy to meet your problems once you've been assessed. This treatment could also include dietary or lifestyle changes.

In addition to the acupuncture treatment, certain other Chinese Medicine therapies may be used.

Know Before You Go: As with other acupuncture treatments, aim to wear loose-fitting clothes that allows for movement and access to your upper arms and lower legs for this first appointment. Arrive with a full stomach to avoid difficulty relaxing, but also avoid arriving with an empty stomach to avoid post-acupuncture lightheadedness. Also, let your practitioner know if this is your first time getting acupuncture so they can adapt the session to your specific needs (Dr. Kirkham, n.d.).

Arrive on Time for Your Consultation Prepared: Expect your consultation to last anywhere between 40 minutes and an hour and a half, so plan accordingly. If your issue is about your menstrual cycle, it's also a good idea to gather any information you might like to discuss, such as the date of your last menstrual period. If you're worried about allergies or digestion, it may be a list of typical items in your diet. Another important recommendation is to avoid doing any physical activity right before or after acupuncture. You want to be as relaxed as possible when you go into your session, and you want to keep that peaceful state afterward. Following the consultation, acupuncture consultations should last 30 minutes to an hour, and depending on the health condition, a series of treatments may be recommended for the best outcomes.

What to Expect: Many individuals are put off by the prospect of getting poked with needles, and those who have scheduled treatments may feel anxious, but rest assured, acupuncture is rather painless. Some people say they feel a tinge of discomfort or electricity that goes away shortly once the needle is inserted, while others say they don't feel anything at all. Your practitioner will usually meet with you first to discuss how you are feeling and take your pulse before beginning your acupuncture session. Then they'll decide on the best course of action. You may be requested to remove all or part of your clothing and lie down on a massage table; the practitioner will leave the room while you do so. Acupuncture needles are single-use, and your practitioner will open each packet before inserting the needles into your skin. You will be left alone to relax after the needles have been put, perhaps with peaceful, relaxing music playing. At some point, your practitioner may come in to check on you or modify the needles that are already in place. All you have to do now is unwind and let the needles do their business.

What to Expect After Treatment: After an acupuncture treatment, most patients report feeling calm. In the days that follow, you might notice improved sleep, digestion, and a general sense of well-being. However, some people report a stronger, longer-lasting benefit in the days after a session. Because acupuncture can occasionally bring things to the surface that have been building in your system, this is a good thing. The following are some of the first reactions to treatment, according to New Leaf Natural Medicine:

• Acupuncture can cause extreme exhaustion after a treatment or in the days following it.
• Emotional Discharge: Acupuncture can create a surge in emotional expressiveness during and after treatment.
• Symptoms become more intense after acupuncture: acupuncture can make symptoms become more intense after a session. Some people are hesitant to continue therapy because of the strength of some of the reactions, but the effects are beneficial and are a required part of the process (New Leaf Medicine, n.d.).

It's possible that things will get worse before they get better: Whether it feels like it or not, the sometimes-intense symptoms that follow acupuncture treatments are part of the balancing process. When you have these symptoms, what happens is as follows:

• Exhaustion: The fatigue that can occur after an acupuncture treatment can feel like an undeserved hangover, but sleep is how your body heals, and the fatigue you're experiencing is your body's signal to calm down and let it do its job.
• Acupuncture helps to harmonize the body, and it can occasionally expose our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual sensitivities in the process. When that emotion resurfaces, it is vital to acknowledge it rather than try to push it away. You're on a path to finding balance, and emotions are a part of that path.
• Acupuncture stimulates the body to help it heal faster, and as a result, your symptoms may become more intense while your body works through it. Your body is healing, as evidenced by the increased intensity.

The organs, including the kidneys, heart, spleen, liver, lung, gallbladder, small intestine, and large intestine, are the focus of most Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments. Chronic pain, arthritis, exhaustion, infertility, liver disease, headaches, indigestion, hormonal imbalances, high blood pressure, PMS or menopause symptoms, cancer recovery, or chemotherapy are among the most common targeted treatments. So you're curious about how acupuncture works. Please bear with me…

Your Body's Vital Energy: To gain the maximum benefit from acupuncture, it's a good idea to first grasp how the treatment works, which involves comprehending the body's Qi. Qi (pronounced chee) is a term used in Chinese medicine to describe the energy that flows through your body's meridians or energy channels. It is said that if there is pain, discomfort, or disease in the body, the Qi is obstructed, and that when this happens, the body is out of balance and more prone to pain and disease (Hafner, n.d.). Acupuncture's goal is to restore balance and get Qi flowing freely throughout the body so that health and wellbeing can be restored. Still have doubts about whether or not acupuncture is good for you? Do you have any anxiety? Do your shoulders or neck tense up?

Acupuncture for Stress Relief: Stress is one of the most common reasons individuals seek acupuncture. Headaches, tense shoulders, eye strain, anxiety, and sadness are all examples of this. And, as many of us are aware, the long-term repercussions of stress, if left untreated, extend beyond the tight shoulders and tension headaches that so many of us experience on a regular basis. Transformational Acupuncturist Jeremy Riesenfeld lists the outcomes of acupuncture.

-Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, excessive blood pressure, and heart irregularities.

-Sexual dysfunction, including impotence and premature ejaculation in men, as well as loss of libido in women.

-Skin and hair issues such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema, as well as hair loss that is permanent

-Gastrointestinal issues such GERD, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome

Acupuncture for Better Sleep: In addition to stress, insomnia is a big worry for many acupuncture patients. With so many over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids available, some of which are habit-forming, acupuncture is an excellent alternative treatment for insomnia. According to the British Acupuncture Council, acupuncture for insomnia can be effective. Rather than treating insomnia with medicine, acupuncture examines a patient's sleeping and waking behaviors to get a holistic picture of what's causing the problem and tailor a treatment plan to the patient's specific needs. What do you do if you can't sleep at night?

What is Electro-Acupuncture, and how does it work? Electro-acupuncture may be used to get the Qi moving in cases of persistent pain or when a practitioner discovers an accumulation of Qi. During an electro-acupuncture treatment, needles are inserted as usual, and then small clips are attached to two of the needles, allowing a little electric current to flow between the needles to stimulate a greater area (AcupunctureToday, n.d.). Electro-acupuncture may be used to treat the following conditions:

What Should I Do Now That I'm Feeling Better? When it comes to acupuncture, one prevalent myth is that you should only go when you have a specific health condition. Regular maintenance, on the other hand, is an excellent method to keep your Qi flowing and your body and mind healthy. Acupuncture, according to TCM Wellness Center for Acupuncture in Minneapolis, is similar to massage.

“Once you've finished an initial or thorough acupuncture treatment plan, it's crucial to continue up with routine appointments to maintain your new-found level of health,” she says. After all, if regaining your health was worth the investment, you owe it to yourself to keep it. The goal is to stay proactive and stay one step ahead of any possible issues before they become serious. Taking your car to the technician for routine maintenance is significantly less expensive than waiting for a breakdown” (TCM Wellness, n.d.). Of all, we don't have the choice to trade in our bodies and minds when they break down, so maintenance is a fantastic, proactive approach when it comes to your health and fitness.

The Eastern and Western Medicine Approach: When seeking therapy, many people find that combining Western and Eastern medicine is extremely beneficial. This is useful when a drug is necessary that has pain or discomfort-inducing side effects. Acupuncture can be extremely helpful in alleviating pains and discomforts. The same is true if you're getting acupuncture but think you should also see your primary care physician. The philosophy in Chinese Medicine is that the patient should feel empowered and happy about the health and wellness decisions they make, so whatever that means for each individual is up to them.

Simply select your state, and a list of practitioners in your vicinity will appear. One thing to keep in mind as you go through the list is that the practitioner you choose should focus on your specific issues. While many acupuncturists have a general practice, others are more specialized, catering to athletes or focusing entirely on acne or facials, for example. Before booking an appointment, do some preliminary research by calling or browsing the practitioner's website. Another item to think about is your insurance coverage. Alternative care, such as acupuncture, may be covered by your insurance, so check with your provider before starting your search.

And Now It's Your Turn: Thank you very much for coming to this event. I hope this information has piqued your interest in trying acupuncture. Stay a minute longer because I have some more resources to share with you if you're looking for some good books to read.

Further Reading: The following are the resources that were used to create this presentation for you:

“What is Qi?” (Christopher Hafner, n.d.). 4/9/2018, http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/traditional-chinese-medicine/what-qi-and-other-concepts

What are the dangers of acupuncture?

• There is a chance of a collapsed lung if the needle is put deeply into the chest or upper back, but this is quite unusual.

Acupuncture needles are regulated as medical devices by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their production and labeling must adhere to specified guidelines. A licensed practitioner must ensure that the needles are sterile, harmless, and labeled for only one use.

In cases of chronic or severe sickness, as with any complementary therapy, it is best to utilize it in conjunction with traditional treatments.

How do I find an acupuncturist?

Visit the National Certification Commission in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine's website to find a licensed practitioner (NCCAOM). This board requires practitioners to be licensed in most states. It is recommended that people inquire about the practitioners' expertise and training.

Some insurance coverage now include acupuncture, according to the NCCIH, but it is necessary to verify first to see if the cost will be reimbursed.

An acupuncture treatment and medical evaluation will cost between $75 and $95, according to Costhelper Health, while a typical appointment will cost between $50 and $70.

What does God say about energy?

Yours is one of the most crucial types of inquiries that may be made. When we inquire, “The answer to the question “What is God like?” will shape our thinking about everything else, as well as our conduct and life choices. To address your question quickly, I'll say: No. The concept of God as energy clashes with Christianity. While some people believe God is made out of energy, this belief contradicts what the Bible says about God. Allow me to explain:

Some non-Christian viewpoints believe that God exists “electricity,” or at the very least, they have a conception of God that is compatible with that concept. In this light, we might consider pantheism and panentheism, both of which might be comfortable with the concept of God as energy. We also see the concept in science fiction, with at least one prominent franchise saying that all living things are connected by a tremendous energy force, which may have been inspired by real-life religious beliefs.

However, we only need to look at the Bible's depictions of God to see if this viewpoint is compatible with Christianity. Christians believe that God is all-powerful and present in all places. Those two conceptions may fit with the idea of God as energy on their own, but a closer examination of biblical portrayals of God reveals that God is not energy.

To begin with, Scripture teaches us that God is separate from the universe. Genesis 1:1, the first verse of the Bible, states that God created everything, including matter and energy. This indicates that God cannot be the same as the cosmos, nor can He be the same as any aspect of it. We must conclude that God cannot be energy because energy is an element of the created cosmos.

Second, the Bible teaches us that God is a personal being. Some would argue that, even while God is not the universe's energy, He is nonetheless energy in some form or another. However, the Bible teaches that God has plans and works to carry them out (Genesis 12:7), that God speaks (Exodus 19:8), that God enters into covenant relationships with individuals and groups of people (Genesis 6:18), and that God loves humans (Romans 5:8). None of these things are possible with energy.

Finally, Scripture makes it clear that God has shown himself in the person of Jesus Christ to the greatest extent possible. The gospel of John makes it plain that Jesus is God who took on human flesh to live among us on earth (John 1:1-14), declaring who God is to us. The fullness of the Godhead is found in Christ, according to Colossians 2:9. When we consider Jesus Christ as the clearest and most complete revelation of who God is, we see that God cannot be energy. Instead, He is the all-powerful, completely good, personal creator of everything, who loves you and me, desires a relationship with us, and has shown Himself fully in Jesus Christ.