MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE

Body Acupuncture
Auricular Acupuncture
Electroacupuncture
Scalp Acupuncture
Alternative Medical Treatments
Facial/Body Cosmetic Acupuncture
Support in smoking cessation
Personalised weight loss treatment

General information
Medical acupuncture has its roots in ancient China and is based on the rules of traditional Chinese medicine on the one hand, and on the principles of contemporary neurophysiology on the other. Medical acupuncture is the only alternative medicine method that has been officially recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is widely accepted by the international medical community as a complementary or independent treatment method. Under Decision No. 574/Α4/1191/21-2-1980 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Greek State has rendered the application of acupuncture as an exclusively medical practice, which must be exercised by specialist doctors with suitable training. Medical acupuncture is the official treatment method for over 100 medical conditions and has no side effects whatsoever when properly applied by qualified doctors.
 
Chinese Philosophy
According to the ancient Chinese, all phenomena result from changes in the movement of the basic vital energy known as “Qi” between the two fundamental and opposing forces/poles Yang (positive, warmth, light) and Yin (negative, cold, darkness). Yin and Yang are parts of the whole (TAO) and act simultaneously in the body, while being opponents at the same time. The constant, mutual and self-regulated balance between these two forces is a necessary requirement for an individual’s health and life. Medical acupuncture relies on the important role played by energy channels in the body (meridians), which are related to the paths of the basic nerves. Each meridian is responsible for an organ or for a group of functions. A symptom or disease occurs when there is a disruption in the balance between the Yin and the Yang, and in the smooth flow of energy along the energy channels. The points where the needles are inserted into the skin coincide with points of the overall energy pathway so as to restore the balance in the inner flow of energy.
 
Clinical Application
As a rule, the application of acupuncture is painless and has no side effects. The acupuncture treatment technique involves the insertion of thin, sterile, disposable needles into specific points of the body, usually at a depth of 2-20 mm, which are left in for a short time. Mechanical stimulation upon penetration of the needle into the skin causes a number of responses, such as a mild inflammatory response and electrical stimulation of cellular membranes, which result in changes in the secretion of neurotransmitters and other substances, and in the stimulation of the sensory receptors and nerve endings in the area. Furthermore, it causes stimulation that is transferred to the spinal cord and also causes a responsive reaction that covers a larger area than that of the stimulation points, while also having an anti-inflammatory effect. The analgesic effects of acupuncture are attributed to the secretion of endorphins. The needles remain in the skin for a length of time ranging from 10 to 40 minutes. The effects of acupuncture persist over the following hours and days, usually until the next session. The number of sessions depends on the condition, the duration of the symptoms and various individual factors, and is usually determined during the first session.
 
Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture occupies a prominent position in contemporary Chinese literature. It uses the auricle (external ear) to diagnose and treat various diseases, given that the human ear has a rich innervation with numerous nerve endings and receptors. Auricular acupuncture is based on the mapping of points of the ear that serve as a pathway for the corresponding meridians and represent the system of organs in our body on a smaller scale. There are various methods for stimulating the ear’s reflex points, such as massaging, electroacupuncture, insertion of needles, the application of special ear tacks, semi-permanent needles, etc.
 
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture involves the use of needle electrodes to stimulate the same points of the body as traditional acupuncture, but with simultaneous low-intensity electrical stimulation.