Acupuncture is a principal part of traditional Chinese medicine. Its medicinal use in Asia dates back many thousands of years. In more recent times, its use has become researched and scientifically recognized in the West. Many Westerners today are choosing acupuncture as an effective, safe, and natural method of complementary health care.

Traditional Chinese medicine is based on a holistic view of health and disease, where its focus is as much on supporting the former as on treating the latter. According to Chinese medical theory, our body and mind rely for their healthy functioning on an appropriate supply and circulation of certain vital energies within our organism.

When these energies are inadequate, or their circulation obstructed, such as from poor nutrition, disease pathogens, chronic stress, old age, or other factors, our healthy functioning becomes compromised, and symptoms of disease are likely to develop. Acupuncture essentially works by re-balancing our system of vital energies to promote a healthier functioning of body and mind.

To devise the most suitable acupuncture treatment for a patient, acupuncturists assess all presenting signs and symptoms, medical conditions and history, but also the patient's specific energetic imbalances as diagnosed through traditional methods of diagnosis, such as pulse and tongue analysis.

Acupuncture treatments involve the painless insertion of very thin, sterile needles at selected acupoints, whose stimulation benefits the patient's given condition. Some acupoints can also be stimulated by other means, such as laser therapy, electro-stimulation, moxibustion, cupping, and/or simple acupressure.

Depending on individual circumstances and needs, acupuncture treatments can be provided in as little as 15 minutes, or continued for one hour or longer.

Acupuncture offers a unique combination of benefits. It is effective in treating symptoms, but also their underlying causes, as well as in treating concurrently the body, mind, and emotions. Most patients find that having acupuncture is therapeutic, as well as relaxing and enjoyable for them.

Acupuncture is recognized by the World Health Organization as a proven drug-free method of pain relief, but also as an approved treatment for a wide range specific conditions, including musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, psychological/emotional, skin-related, eye/ear/throat-related, and gynaecological/obstetric conditions, and as adjunct therapy in palliative care.

As part of its outreach support to patients, the Melbourne Zen Hospice is pleased to be able to offer acupuncture free of charge to our patients who request it and for whom it is medically suitable. The treatments are provided by Seikan Cech, who is a qualified and registered acupuncturist with postgraduate clinical training from China, Japan, and Vietnam.

The practice of traditional Chinese medicine in Victoria, comprising acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, is regulated and restricted through the Chinese Medicine Registration Act (2000). Patients interested in finding a qualified and registered acupuncturist within their locality, can do so through the following link: www.cmrb.vic.gov.au.