If someone sticking pins in your body isn't your idea of a cure, try Shiatsu
Acupuncture is an ancient form of physical treatment and therapy with an impressive record of success. It's origin is in the orient, based on the theory that the body is organized by an energetic system which, having no observable pathways available to empirical study, yet manifests itself in countless examples of cures of diverse diseases and the alleviation of a variety of pains. Even many modern hospitals employ acupuncture as an alternative form of treatment for such ailments as muscle injuries and bone, spine, shoulder and hip diseases, and as a means of anesthetic. While many people welcome the treatment, others abhor it, primarily because the principal method of acupuncture is that of sticking the tips of needles along energy pathway. It's the needles they don't like, and who can argue with that. Isn't there an acupuncture alternative, most will ask, something that does the same thing, works with the same energy system, but doesn't involve sticking needles into my skin>
Acupuncture alternatives have been available as long as acupuncture has been available. The most prominent of these acupuncture alternative, and the most popular, is a form of oriental physical treatment and therapy that uses the same theoretical structure as acupuncture, but without the needles. Acupuncture aims to relieve pain by tonifying, calming, or dispersing blockages in the energy system that delivers life force, Ki, throughout the body. This is done by inserting needles into connecting nodes between Ki channels to disperse, relieve or strengthen this connecting node, called a Tsubo. Shiatsu, as an acupuncture alternative, recognizes the validity of the acupuncture approach, but does not concentrate on the fixed Tsubos that connect energetic pathways. Shiatsu maintains that many ailments are the result of an imbalance in the flow of Ki through these channels. One form of dysfunctional flow is called Kyo, which is found in the channel as depleted, weak, under active or even empty Ki flow. Its reverse and equally unbalanced condition is called Jitsu. With Jitsu, Ki is overactive, bulging, knotty. It is more obvious, resistant, causing congestion and blockages. Naturally, Kyo and Jitsu will often appear in combination, Jitsu causing the weakness and decreased flow of Ki at the Kyo region. The whole effort of this acupuncture alternative is to create a balance between the Jitsu and the Kyo regions found along the web on energy that is the body's life force.
The methods of Shiatsu are not as frightening as acupuncture. Shiatsu practitioners use variable pressures along the Ki channels to move, dispel and harmonize the affect regions. It calls for a mind/body balance to retain the balance that physical postures and precise massaging effect in the treatment. It is something like chiropractic treatment, but with an oriental slant. So, when that Doctor of Acupuncture shows up with his tray of needles, inquire first if a Shiatsu practitioner is on call. Now you can get your Ki system in balance without the pricks.