Acupuncture Works with Qi

Since acupuncture works with Qi, its speed is dependent on it, so children arid those with good general vitality often respond very fast and those who arc .depleted or In old age may expect slower results.

Factors such as atmospheric pollution and long-term dietary abuse, combined in many cases with the persistent effects of conventional medication, are presenting modern acupuncturists in the West with a new and often troubling phenomenon, however.

It is happening increasingly that at first the patient's symptoms seem to actually get worse for a time, as if the body is undergoing a period of clearing or cleansing during which toxins arc expelled. The Chinese refer to this as 'eliminating Heat and Poison' or as 'resolving Phlegm', depending on the nature of the discharge.

The process of clearing these problems properly may involve a temporary mild fever, sweating, skin disorders, and what is known generally as 'a healing crisis', before the patient starts to feel better. Thereafter, progress is usually fast, since the natural vitality of the body has been regained.

Some skin problems can actually be a manifestation of this attempt to clear toxins. Typically these involve redness and heat and some kind of discharge (the whole symptom picture is referred to as Damp Heat, in Chinese terms).

 Treatment usually leads to an initial aggravation, with more discharge and heat as the body is stimulated to throw out waste products and clear (he blood. Dietary advice may also be offered to aid the clearing process. As treatment continues, however, the skin clears and the long-term benefits become apparent.
 
Back pain can produce a comparable reaction, with initial worsening followed by recovery and steady improvement. The combination of massage, moxibustion and acupunc-lure, however, can resolve the problem more quickly and strengthen the patient so that the long-term benefit is substantial.