Acupuncture treatment and Chinese Herbal Medicine consultations in central London, W8, W11, W14, SW3, SW5, Kensington and South Kensington, South West London, SW14, SW15, SW18, SW19, Earlsfields, Southfields and Wimbledon
PJ Cousin M.B.Ac.C is a London registered acupuncturist and herbalist with 30 years experience in acupuncture and natural medicine;
he also learned massage, homeopathy, Eastern and Western Herbalism as well as acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.PJ Cousin taught acupuncture and all these subjects for 12 years in this country and abroad. A prolific writer he has worked as a contributor on nine books, including 3 volumes of an encyclopedia; as a sole author, he has written three best selling books: "Facelift at your fingertips", "Natural recipes for a perfect skin" and "Food is Medicine".
Pain Clinic:
I run walk-in pain management clinic Monday to Friday
I use traditional acupuncture and electro-acupuncture for rapid pain relief in a wide range of chronic or acute painful conditions including: Back and neck pain, severe lower back pain, shoulder pain, joint pain, muscle spasm, tendinitis, tennis elbow,repetitive strain injury, Plantar fasciitis, sport Injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia,
diabetic neuropathy,
migraine, headache, PMS, menstrual pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, chronic sinusitis.
Fertility Clinic
With acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and homeopathy I can treat endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, “unexplained” or “secondary” infertility,’ and male fertility issues.
I can also help increase the chances of success at IVF/IUI as well as offering support to women during pregnancy and childbirth.
I have 25 years experience in acupuncture for the treatment fertility, and conditions associated with pregnancy and afterbirth
My two children were born naturally with the help of acupuncture and homeopathy
Skin Clinic
I treat eczema and other skin problems in adults and children using Chinese herbs, acupuncture and Homeopathy, often in combination; this allow me to get good results with mild treatment.
I prefer to use homeopathy for babies and young children, and often combine Chinese herbs and acupuncture for adults.
Not all skin conditions can be cured, but it is often possible to minimise the condition or force it into remission; many types of eczema, skin rashes and inflammations respond quickly to treatment.
Wellness clinic:
Not everybody come to see me when they are ill; I treat a lot of people to maintain them in good health, making sure that their energy level is good, and that they have a strong immune system; treatments such as acupuncture and homeopathy are very effective in alleviating stress, anxiety, mild depression, insomnia and many other stress related conditions.
I give also advice on diet, and stress management.
People with stress related conditions such as anxiety, or IBS benefit tremendously from just a few treatments in a year
Acupuncture,
herbal medicine
and
homeopathy
are highly effective therapies for a wide range
of
conditions:
see list on the conditions treated page
see list on the conditions treated page
THE BEST OF LONDON'S
THERAPISTS
By Alice Hart-Davis and Gita Mendis 08.05.01
ACUPUNCTURE
The ancient chinese art of sticking very fine needles into precise points along the body's meridians, or energy channels, to treat disease and maintain health. Not as painful as it sounds, and good for almost anything chronic, from skin problems, via migraines and digestive problems, to insomnia.
Pierre-Jean Cousin: charming and renowned also as a Chinese herbalist and homeopath. Kensington Therapy Centre, W8 (020 7376 1199).
Daily Telegraph Top 20 health gurus
Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 03/11/2007
Page 1 of 3
Pierre-Jean Cousin: acupuncture The tall, grey-haired, bespectacled Frenchman has a reassuringly competent manner and a no-nonsense approach to treatment. That's just as well, since clients include some pernickety members of the Royal Family. ''He's rather sardonic and French,'' reports one patient. ''If you say 'Ow' when he sticks in a needle, he shrugs and says, 'But I can feel nothing.'''
The Kensington Therapy Centre, 213 Kensington High Street, London W8 (020 7376 1199); and at Cure-by-Nature, 95 Replingham Road, Southfields, London SW18 (020 8875 1101; www.cure-by-nature.co.uk); £50.
By Alice Hart-Davis and Gita Mendis 08.05.01
ACUPUNCTURE
The ancient chinese art of sticking very fine needles into precise points along the body's meridians, or energy channels, to treat disease and maintain health. Not as painful as it sounds, and good for almost anything chronic, from skin problems, via migraines and digestive problems, to insomnia.
Pierre-Jean Cousin: charming and renowned also as a Chinese herbalist and homeopath. Kensington Therapy Centre, W8 (020 7376 1199).
Daily Telegraph Top 20 health gurus
Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 03/11/2007
Page 1 of 3
Pierre-Jean Cousin: acupuncture The tall, grey-haired, bespectacled Frenchman has a reassuringly competent manner and a no-nonsense approach to treatment. That's just as well, since clients include some pernickety members of the Royal Family. ''He's rather sardonic and French,'' reports one patient. ''If you say 'Ow' when he sticks in a needle, he shrugs and says, 'But I can feel nothing.'''
The Kensington Therapy Centre, 213 Kensington High Street, London W8 (020 7376 1199); and at Cure-by-Nature, 95 Replingham Road, Southfields, London SW18 (020 8875 1101; www.cure-by-nature.co.uk); £50.
In recent years, the treatment of
male and female
infertility
with acupuncture has been frequently in the
news, because of its success on his own, and as
a support to IVF and other methods of assisted
pregnancy. I have been using successfuly a
unique method of combining acupuncture
with
Chinese herbal
medicine
and
homeopathy
to help many women and men with infertility
issues
Here is what some of my clients have written to me:
Thank you for all your help and support over the last few months, as I said before when we had Theo - I dont think we could have done it without you!
(email) Lindsey B
Surrey
Thank you so much for everything you did to help bring my baby boy into this world - you will never know how much I appreciate all the help and advice that you gave me.
(Email) Helen S
Kingston
Cradling a sweet little boy, 7lbs 11oz born at 3pm this afternoon
Thank You for all your help
( text) Lucy
London
Our daughter Olivia was born last night at 11.30pm
we are so happy
Thank you thank you thank you!
Emma
Hi PJ, look who arrived in time for Xmas!
Maisey was born on 23rd dec at 16.03
i am so happy, happy xmas and thank you for your help
(text and photo) Alison
London
Here is what some of my clients have written to me:
Thank you for all your help and support over the last few months, as I said before when we had Theo - I dont think we could have done it without you!
(email) Lindsey B
Surrey
Thank you so much for everything you did to help bring my baby boy into this world - you will never know how much I appreciate all the help and advice that you gave me.
(Email) Helen S
Kingston
Cradling a sweet little boy, 7lbs 11oz born at 3pm this afternoon
Thank You for all your help
( text) Lucy
London
Our daughter Olivia was born last night at 11.30pm
we are so happy
Thank you thank you thank you!
Emma
Hi PJ, look who arrived in time for Xmas!
Maisey was born on 23rd dec at 16.03
i am so happy, happy xmas and thank you for your help
(text and photo) Alison
London
Acupuncture is part of a system of medicine which originated in China thousands years ago.
The principal method of treatment with acupuncture is by insertion of very fine needles into points which lie beneath the skin.
These points may also be treated by warming with a burning herb (moxibustion)on acupuncture points along meridians, by gentle electrical pulse (electro-acupuncture), or by laser.
Acupuncture is world wide: it is used in almost every country in the world.
It is estimated that there are presently 3 millions practicing acupuncturists, including barefoot doctors.
Acupuncture takes years to learn: a qualified practitioner needs many years of study and clinical practice in order to refine his diagnostic and therapeutic skills, acupuncture is a complex system which requires extensive study of the classical theory, profound knowledge of both theory and practice, and the necessary background in western medicine as well.
The classical theory
This is based on the dual interaction of yin and yang, and the uninterrupted flow of energy along the 14 meridians of acupuncture. Disease is caused, according to the classics, by either an imbalance between yin and yang, or a blockage or interruption of the flow of energy, along the acupuncture meridians.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, or acupuncture meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues.
An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.
The acupuncture meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and re-establish the regular flow through the meridians.
Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians,thus re-establishing balance between YIN and YANG, finely tuning the flow of life energy, removing blockages along "meridian" pathways.
The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain.
These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture treatment results in stimulating the body's
natural healing abilities, promoting physical and emotional well-being.
What is the scope of acupuncture?
Acupuncture can influence three major areas of health care: . promotion of health and well-being, . prevention of illness, . treatment of a variety of pathologies.
While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of a well-trained practitioner it has much broader applications.
The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including:
Respiratory System:
asthma, chest infections, bronchitis.
Cardiovascular:
palpitations, angina, chest pain, poor circulation, hypertension.
Digestive System:
stomach ulcer, gastritis, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, colitis, constipation or diarrhoea.
Genito-Urinary:
cystitis, prostatitis, bed wetting.
Gynaecological:
premenstrual syndrome, menstrual pain, irregular period, lack of, or excessive menstruation, infertility, endometriosis, menopausal symptoms.
Neurological:
effect of strokes, trigeminal neuralgia, shingles, Bell's palsy.
Locomotor:
sport injuries, pain, stiffness, fibrositis, lumbago, sciatica, rheumatism, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendinitis
Psychological:
anxiety, depression, phobias, agitation, insomnia, stress.
General:
malaise, low energy, poor vitality, recurrent illness, fatigue.
Ear, Nose, Throat:
sinusitis, hay fever, tinnitus, recurrent sore throat, mouth ulcers, etc.
Others:
migraine, tension, hormonal imbalance, pains of all kind.
Skin Diseases:
eczema, psoriasis, etc. Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension and stress and emotional conditions.
"Change is an expression of duality;
a second state of being emerging from the first.
The two components of the dual power were
designated as Yin and Yang."
What can acupuncture do for you ?The benefit
of acupuncture varies from one individual to
another, but generally acupuncture treatment
reduces stress, increases general well being
drastically, improves health and self
healing, strengthens natural vitality and the
natural defenses of the organism, in other
words it makes people function better and
feel healthier.
How
many treatments are needed?
The
number of acupuncture treatments varies
according to the condition treated. The
statistics carried out in my practice show an
average of 8 treatments per person. Usually, 4
to 6 treatments are needed initially at weekly
intervals; then a few more acupuncture
treatments are required on longer periods of
time to make sure that the condition does not
reoccur.
Does
it hurt?
The needles are thin like a hair and certainly
have nothing in common with a syringe needle. A
slight prickling sensation is felt as the
needle pierces the skin and sometimes a
tingling sensation is experienced while the
needles are in place.
How
many needles are used in one treatment
?
Two to eight points needled bilaterally in one
acupuncture treatment is about the average.
What
should you expect?
Everyone's response to acupuncture treatment is
different, so I don't have preconceived ideas
or rigid expectations.
Some people quickly feel much better, while
some don't notice any immediate changes. Often
the first changes to occur improve the overall
state of health, and one will experience better
sleeping, feeling more relaxed or "even". A
feeling of lightness and well-being are also
common. As the whole person is treated,
emotional, mental and physical changes happen
together. The symptoms might still be present,
but they will lessen with time. Since it took
time to get the disease, it will take time to
cure it.
Are
there any side effects to the
treatment?Usually
not. Occasionally the original symptoms worsen
for a day; it should not cause concern, as this
is simply an indication that the acupuncture is
starting to work. It is quite common with the
first one or two acupuncture treatments to have
a sensation of deep relaxation or even mild
disorientation immediately following the
treatment..
Do
i have to believe in acupuncture for it to
work?
No.
Acupuncture is used successfully on cats, dogs,
horses and other animals. These animal patients
do not understand or believe in the process
that helps them get better. A constructive
attitude toward a better health may reinforce
the effects of the treatment received.
Are
there any "DO'S and DON'TS" on the day of a
treatment?
Yes, the following guidelines are important: Do
not eat a very large meal immediately before or
after an acupuncture treatment. Do not
over-exercise, engage in sexual activity, or
consume alcoholic beverages within 6 hours
before or after acupuncture. Plan your
activities so that after the treatment you can
get some rest.This is especially important for
the first few visits. Continue to take any
prescription medicines as directed by your
doctor.Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol)
especially in the week prior to treatment, will
seriously interfere with the effectiveness of
acupuncture. Remember to keep good mental or
written notes of what your response is to the
treatment. This is important for your
practitioner to know so that the follow-up
acupuncture treatments can be designed to best
help you and your problem.
Acupuncture points and channels or meridians
Most of the main acupuncture points are found on the "twelve main meridians" and two of the "eight extra meridians" (Du Mai and Ren Mai) a total of "fourteen channels", which are described in classical and traditional Chinese medical texts, as pathways through which Qi and "Blood" flow. There also exist "extra points" not belonging to any channel. Other tender points (known as "ashi points") may also be needled as they are believed to be where stagnation has gathered.
Treatment of acupuncture points may be performed along several layers of pathways, most commonly the twelve primary channels, or mai, located throughout the body. The first twelve channels correspond to systems of function: Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, San Jiao (an intangible, also known as Triple Burner), Gall Bladder, and Liver. Other pathways include the Eight Extraordinary Pathways (Qi Jing Ba Mai), the Luo Vessels, the Divergents and the Sinew Channels. Ashi (tender) points are generally used for treatment of local pain.
Of the eight extraordinary pathways, only two have acupuncture points of their own: the Ren Mai and Du Mai, which are situated on the midline of the anterior and posterior aspects of the trunk and head respectively. The other six meridians are "activated" by using a master and couple point technique which involves needling the acupuncture points located on the twelve main meridians that correspond to the particular extraordinary pathway.
The twelve primary pathways run vertically, bilaterally, and symmetrically and every channel corresponds to and connects internally with one of the twelve Zang Fu ("organs"). This means that there are six yin and six yang channels. There are three yin and three yang channels on each arm, and three yin and three yang on each leg.
The three yin channels of the hand (Lung, Pericardium, and Heart) begin on the chest and travel along the inner surface (mostly the anterior portion) of the arm to the hand.
The three yang channels of the hand (Large intestine, San Jiao, and Small intestine) begin on the hand and travel along the outer surface (mostly the posterior portion) of the arm to the head.
The three yin channels of the foot (Spleen, Liver, and Kidney) begin on the foot and travel along the inner surface (mostly posterior and medial portion) of the leg to the chest or flank.
The three yang channels of the foot (Stomach, Gallbladder, and Urinary Bladder) begin on the face, in the region of the eye, and travel down the body and along the outer surface (mostly the anterior and lateral portion) of the leg to the foot.
The movement of Qi through each of the twelve channels comprises an internal and an external pathway. The external pathway is what is normally shown on an acupuncture chart and is relatively superficial. All of the acupuncture points of a channel lie on its external pathway. The internal pathways are the deep course of the channel where it enters the body cavities and related Zang Fu organs. The superficial pathways of the twelve channels describe three complete circuits of the body, chest to hands, hands to head, head to feet, feet to chest, etc.
The distribution of Qi through the pathways is said to be as follows (the based on the demarcations in TCM's Chinese Clock): Lung channel of hand taiyin to Large Intestine channel of hand yangming to Stomach channel of foot yangming to Spleen channel of foot taiyin to Heart channel of hand shaoyin to Small Intestine channel of hand taiyang to Bladder channel of foot taiyang to Kidney channel of foot shaoyin to Pericardium channel of hand jueyin to San Jiao channel of hand shaoyang to Gallbladder channel of foot shaoyang to Liver channel of foot jueyin then back to the Lung channel of hand taiyin. According to the "Chinese clock", each channel occupies two hours, beginning with the Lung, 3AM-5AM, and coming full circle with the Liver 1AM-3AM.
Most of the main acupuncture points are found on the "twelve main meridians" and two of the "eight extra meridians" (Du Mai and Ren Mai) a total of "fourteen channels", which are described in classical and traditional Chinese medical texts, as pathways through which Qi and "Blood" flow. There also exist "extra points" not belonging to any channel. Other tender points (known as "ashi points") may also be needled as they are believed to be where stagnation has gathered.
Treatment of acupuncture points may be performed along several layers of pathways, most commonly the twelve primary channels, or mai, located throughout the body. The first twelve channels correspond to systems of function: Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, San Jiao (an intangible, also known as Triple Burner), Gall Bladder, and Liver. Other pathways include the Eight Extraordinary Pathways (Qi Jing Ba Mai), the Luo Vessels, the Divergents and the Sinew Channels. Ashi (tender) points are generally used for treatment of local pain.
Of the eight extraordinary pathways, only two have acupuncture points of their own: the Ren Mai and Du Mai, which are situated on the midline of the anterior and posterior aspects of the trunk and head respectively. The other six meridians are "activated" by using a master and couple point technique which involves needling the acupuncture points located on the twelve main meridians that correspond to the particular extraordinary pathway.
The twelve primary pathways run vertically, bilaterally, and symmetrically and every channel corresponds to and connects internally with one of the twelve Zang Fu ("organs"). This means that there are six yin and six yang channels. There are three yin and three yang channels on each arm, and three yin and three yang on each leg.
The three yin channels of the hand (Lung, Pericardium, and Heart) begin on the chest and travel along the inner surface (mostly the anterior portion) of the arm to the hand.
The three yang channels of the hand (Large intestine, San Jiao, and Small intestine) begin on the hand and travel along the outer surface (mostly the posterior portion) of the arm to the head.
The three yin channels of the foot (Spleen, Liver, and Kidney) begin on the foot and travel along the inner surface (mostly posterior and medial portion) of the leg to the chest or flank.
The three yang channels of the foot (Stomach, Gallbladder, and Urinary Bladder) begin on the face, in the region of the eye, and travel down the body and along the outer surface (mostly the anterior and lateral portion) of the leg to the foot.
The movement of Qi through each of the twelve channels comprises an internal and an external pathway. The external pathway is what is normally shown on an acupuncture chart and is relatively superficial. All of the acupuncture points of a channel lie on its external pathway. The internal pathways are the deep course of the channel where it enters the body cavities and related Zang Fu organs. The superficial pathways of the twelve channels describe three complete circuits of the body, chest to hands, hands to head, head to feet, feet to chest, etc.
The distribution of Qi through the pathways is said to be as follows (the based on the demarcations in TCM's Chinese Clock): Lung channel of hand taiyin to Large Intestine channel of hand yangming to Stomach channel of foot yangming to Spleen channel of foot taiyin to Heart channel of hand shaoyin to Small Intestine channel of hand taiyang to Bladder channel of foot taiyang to Kidney channel of foot shaoyin to Pericardium channel of hand jueyin to San Jiao channel of hand shaoyang to Gallbladder channel of foot shaoyang to Liver channel of foot jueyin then back to the Lung channel of hand taiyin. According to the "Chinese clock", each channel occupies two hours, beginning with the Lung, 3AM-5AM, and coming full circle with the Liver 1AM-3AM.
A modern view of acupuncture and TCM
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on a paradigm of the body different to that of modern biomedicine. Inherent characteristics of TCM necessitate an active and central role of acupuncturists in acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture as a complex non-pharmacological therapy depends solely on the acupuncturists' skills, competence and understanding of TCM theory to work.
Acupuncture, as one of treatment modalities of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that develops a different conceptual and theoretical basis to modern biomedicine.
Acupuncture treatment extends far beyond needling with acupuncturists being a component in or contributor to the treatment. Increased attention given to the role of acupuncturists in acupuncture treatment may help better understand TCM theory and improve the validity of clinical trials of acupuncture.
Chinese medicine relies on the veracity of the senses, the person-centered experience either as reported by the patient or perceived by an observant practitioner’ . TCM and biomedicine focus on different ends of the spectrum—objectivity and subjectivity—of any medical entity respectively; that is why TCM may complement biomedicine well in its distinct approaches to some medical conditions without clear biomedical pathogenesis, such as the functional somatic syndromes . TCM develops a set of well-established theories whereby to categorize symptoms to elicit TCM diagnosis, and at the same time classify available treatment options (usually, Chinese herbs, acupuncture or a combination of both) to form a corresponding treatment plan. To ensure efficacy, TCM diagnosis and the subsequent treatment should be one-to-one corresponding to each other strictly. However, a particular TCM diagnosis—a kind of pattern diagnosis—is at most probable, but never definitive.
Unlike modern biomedicine emphasizing identification of specific diseases over analysis of general symptom patterns to explain symptoms, TCM develops a ‘holistic’ method to identify and analyze symptoms. According to TCM, different coexisting symptoms are interdisciplinary and interactive, so any individual symptom is rarely studied in isolation. Instead, it is investigated in context of its relationships with other concurrent symptoms, as well as with symptom modifiers and other clinical observations such as the tongue coat and pulse diagnosis, to identify the most probable pattern of disorders . This pattern diagnosis is then used to determine a subsequent treatment plan. Since TCM relies solely upon those subjective entities either reported by patients or perceived by practitioners, obtaining adequate information with defining meanings is therefore a prerequisite for an effective TCM treatment. This determines the key role of acupuncturists in acupuncture treatment.
Communication Plays a Key Role in the Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncturists play an active and central role in acupuncture treatment. All the information used to make a diagnosis can only be obtained from acupuncturists' ‘looking’, ‘listening’, ‘feeling’ and ‘thinking’. These subjective processes are inextricably linked and embedded in the comprehensive communication between the acupuncturist and the patient. This characteristic of TCM underpins the predominant role of acupuncturists in the treatment. A particular acupuncture treatment session is characterized, except for needle insertion itself, by the elaborate and comprehensive communication between the acupuncturist and the patient. In contrast to biomedicine usually relying on biological diagnostic markers beyond symptoms when making diagnosis, TCM depends solely upon subjective medical entities—patients' reported symptoms, information obtained form pulse taking and sometimes other relevant aspects including mind, spirit and lifestyle factors. A good relationship and successful valid communication with a patient are therefore essential to ensuring the quality and quantity of information correctly depicting patient's health status, hence an accurate diagnosis. To obtain significant and relevant information, communication with a patient can be prolonged and enhanced and is focused on details of some particular aspects that are important and not yet explicit for a diagnosis to be made, when, for example, the patient presents complex symptoms; what the patient wants to say is not what the acupuncturist wants to know; and the acupuncturist gets information conflicting in quality and needs to confirm and support his or her judgment until it is meaningful and explicit enough to draw a conclusion.
Interactions between patients and therapists will invariably cause non-specific effects—placebo effects—that will affect treatment outcomes to various extents.
Acupuncture treatment involves a broad amalgam of non-specific factors resulted from intimate patient–acupuncturist relationship presented in the treatment ‘including attention, communication of concern, intense monitoring, diagnostic procedures, labeling of complaint and alterations produced in a patient's expectancy, anxiety and relationship to the illness’ . They may result in more belief and higher expectation of the treatment, and more importantly, make patients feel they have more control over their illness .
Acupuncturists focus on communication with patients not to exert influence on them to reap placebo effects, but to obtain as much information as possible whereby to construct a correct diagnosis. TCM does not intentionally create placebo effects, though it actually causes enhanced placebo effects.
For Any Individual Complaint, No Standard Acupuncture Treatment Exists Independent of Therapist Factors
Acupuncturists are absolutely a component of and contributor to the treatment. The diagnosis and delivery of acupuncture treatment depends solely on the acupuncturists' skills, competence and understanding of TCM theory. Acupuncturists initiate and dominate communication with patients, and focus on questions thought to have defining meanings for making a correct diagnosis; acupuncturists create a collaborative atmosphere working with patients as a partner and take on various styles approaching diverse patients emphasizing on their minds, spirits and lifestyle factors; the same patient can be diagnosed and treated differently by acupuncturists with varied clinical experience and understanding of TCM theory. For any individual complaint, no standard acupuncture treatment exists independent of therapist factors.
Any patient seeking acupuncture treatment should be advised not to quit treatment within the initial several sessions due to the reasons that it will take some time to show treatment effects, and the acupuncturist may need some time as well to optimize treatment protocols.
TCM practitioners tend to rely on personal experience
TCM is virtually experience-based medicine; TCM theory and practical experience combined makes a TCM practitioner. Though experience is important for both TCM and biomedicine, biomedicine tends to rely more on objective evidence than personal experience, while experience is much more valued in TCM. Compared with acupuncturists with little experience, more experience means better communicating skills essential to keeping good relationships with patients to ensure a correct diagnosis, more in-depth understanding of TCM theory after a long time verifying it through practicing, more safety and less adverse effects of treatment. All in all, experience guarantees an acupuncturist's competence to offer optimal acupuncture treatment. An acupuncturist's competence and skillfulness are more achieved from long time practicing than a certain period of training; that is to say, a period of training does not guarantee the professional and technical competence to offer an optimal acupuncture treatment, though training is important and necessary.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on a paradigm of the body different to that of modern biomedicine. Inherent characteristics of TCM necessitate an active and central role of acupuncturists in acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture as a complex non-pharmacological therapy depends solely on the acupuncturists' skills, competence and understanding of TCM theory to work.
Acupuncture, as one of treatment modalities of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that develops a different conceptual and theoretical basis to modern biomedicine.
Acupuncture treatment extends far beyond needling with acupuncturists being a component in or contributor to the treatment. Increased attention given to the role of acupuncturists in acupuncture treatment may help better understand TCM theory and improve the validity of clinical trials of acupuncture.
Chinese medicine relies on the veracity of the senses, the person-centered experience either as reported by the patient or perceived by an observant practitioner’ . TCM and biomedicine focus on different ends of the spectrum—objectivity and subjectivity—of any medical entity respectively; that is why TCM may complement biomedicine well in its distinct approaches to some medical conditions without clear biomedical pathogenesis, such as the functional somatic syndromes . TCM develops a set of well-established theories whereby to categorize symptoms to elicit TCM diagnosis, and at the same time classify available treatment options (usually, Chinese herbs, acupuncture or a combination of both) to form a corresponding treatment plan. To ensure efficacy, TCM diagnosis and the subsequent treatment should be one-to-one corresponding to each other strictly. However, a particular TCM diagnosis—a kind of pattern diagnosis—is at most probable, but never definitive.
Unlike modern biomedicine emphasizing identification of specific diseases over analysis of general symptom patterns to explain symptoms, TCM develops a ‘holistic’ method to identify and analyze symptoms. According to TCM, different coexisting symptoms are interdisciplinary and interactive, so any individual symptom is rarely studied in isolation. Instead, it is investigated in context of its relationships with other concurrent symptoms, as well as with symptom modifiers and other clinical observations such as the tongue coat and pulse diagnosis, to identify the most probable pattern of disorders . This pattern diagnosis is then used to determine a subsequent treatment plan. Since TCM relies solely upon those subjective entities either reported by patients or perceived by practitioners, obtaining adequate information with defining meanings is therefore a prerequisite for an effective TCM treatment. This determines the key role of acupuncturists in acupuncture treatment.
Communication Plays a Key Role in the Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncturists play an active and central role in acupuncture treatment. All the information used to make a diagnosis can only be obtained from acupuncturists' ‘looking’, ‘listening’, ‘feeling’ and ‘thinking’. These subjective processes are inextricably linked and embedded in the comprehensive communication between the acupuncturist and the patient. This characteristic of TCM underpins the predominant role of acupuncturists in the treatment. A particular acupuncture treatment session is characterized, except for needle insertion itself, by the elaborate and comprehensive communication between the acupuncturist and the patient. In contrast to biomedicine usually relying on biological diagnostic markers beyond symptoms when making diagnosis, TCM depends solely upon subjective medical entities—patients' reported symptoms, information obtained form pulse taking and sometimes other relevant aspects including mind, spirit and lifestyle factors. A good relationship and successful valid communication with a patient are therefore essential to ensuring the quality and quantity of information correctly depicting patient's health status, hence an accurate diagnosis. To obtain significant and relevant information, communication with a patient can be prolonged and enhanced and is focused on details of some particular aspects that are important and not yet explicit for a diagnosis to be made, when, for example, the patient presents complex symptoms; what the patient wants to say is not what the acupuncturist wants to know; and the acupuncturist gets information conflicting in quality and needs to confirm and support his or her judgment until it is meaningful and explicit enough to draw a conclusion.
Interactions between patients and therapists will invariably cause non-specific effects—placebo effects—that will affect treatment outcomes to various extents.
Acupuncture treatment involves a broad amalgam of non-specific factors resulted from intimate patient–acupuncturist relationship presented in the treatment ‘including attention, communication of concern, intense monitoring, diagnostic procedures, labeling of complaint and alterations produced in a patient's expectancy, anxiety and relationship to the illness’ . They may result in more belief and higher expectation of the treatment, and more importantly, make patients feel they have more control over their illness .
Acupuncturists focus on communication with patients not to exert influence on them to reap placebo effects, but to obtain as much information as possible whereby to construct a correct diagnosis. TCM does not intentionally create placebo effects, though it actually causes enhanced placebo effects.
For Any Individual Complaint, No Standard Acupuncture Treatment Exists Independent of Therapist Factors
Acupuncturists are absolutely a component of and contributor to the treatment. The diagnosis and delivery of acupuncture treatment depends solely on the acupuncturists' skills, competence and understanding of TCM theory. Acupuncturists initiate and dominate communication with patients, and focus on questions thought to have defining meanings for making a correct diagnosis; acupuncturists create a collaborative atmosphere working with patients as a partner and take on various styles approaching diverse patients emphasizing on their minds, spirits and lifestyle factors; the same patient can be diagnosed and treated differently by acupuncturists with varied clinical experience and understanding of TCM theory. For any individual complaint, no standard acupuncture treatment exists independent of therapist factors.
Any patient seeking acupuncture treatment should be advised not to quit treatment within the initial several sessions due to the reasons that it will take some time to show treatment effects, and the acupuncturist may need some time as well to optimize treatment protocols.
TCM practitioners tend to rely on personal experience
TCM is virtually experience-based medicine; TCM theory and practical experience combined makes a TCM practitioner. Though experience is important for both TCM and biomedicine, biomedicine tends to rely more on objective evidence than personal experience, while experience is much more valued in TCM. Compared with acupuncturists with little experience, more experience means better communicating skills essential to keeping good relationships with patients to ensure a correct diagnosis, more in-depth understanding of TCM theory after a long time verifying it through practicing, more safety and less adverse effects of treatment. All in all, experience guarantees an acupuncturist's competence to offer optimal acupuncture treatment. An acupuncturist's competence and skillfulness are more achieved from long time practicing than a certain period of training; that is to say, a period of training does not guarantee the professional and technical competence to offer an optimal acupuncture treatment, though training is important and necessary.
Pierre jean cousin is the owner and manager of Cure
By nature, a well established London acupuncture and
complementary practice in Replingham road,
Southfields
He also practice acupuncture at the London Kensington Therapy Centre in Kensington High Street
Acupuncture London: fertility clinics for acupuncture and complementary medicine at 95 Replingham Road London SW18 5LU
and 211-213 kensington High Street London W8 6BD
He also practice acupuncture at the London Kensington Therapy Centre in Kensington High Street
Acupuncture London: fertility clinics for acupuncture and complementary medicine at 95 Replingham Road London SW18 5LU
and 211-213 kensington High Street London W8 6BD