In ancient Chinese culture Imperial court ministers were appointed to think about and manage different aspects of society.

In Chinese medical thought, the different organs are analogous to ministers or officials: Lung is seen as the Prime Minister, Liver the General, Stomach the Minister of Granaries, etc. The Heart (HT) is seen as the Emperor that rules over all others organs. The relationship between the HT and PC allows the PC to act as the ambassador of the heart, spreading joy and happiness.The HT is the container for the shen (spirit) but it is the Pericardium(PC) that does the beating of the heart.

The Ling Shu (spiritual pivot) says, “Pathogenic factors that will attack the heart must first attack the pericardium(PC).”The PC is seen as the HT/Emperor’s protector or “civil servant” and as such, has the role of protecting the HT both from external pathogens (viruses) and from internal or emotional damage.

The PC as the emotional protector, screens and protects the consciousness from being overwhelmed by the sensory and emotional overload that can happen in relationships or in the external world.When there is a problem with either, we can treat using acupuncture. Points along the PC channel address either physiological problems or pain such as angina as well as emotional issues such as anxiety or sadness. Chinese medicine describes anxiety as “fullness under the heart”, this reflects the understanding that anxiety can be felt as pressure under the diaphragm that may be caused by a number of issues: digestive problems and chronic stress being two of the main ones.Points on the PC channel are often used for these types of problems.

The physical anatomy of the PC consists of two layers of connective tissue, which surrounds the HT, as an external covering keeping it in place and actually anchoring it inside the chest.

An interesting point is that Neiguan (inner gate) a point on the inside of the wrist, known as PC6 in the west, was the point of choice when Chinese Doctors back in the 60’s and 70’s used acupuncture anaesthesia for open heart surgery and other operations.

The point could literally numb the pain of surgery when stimulated strongly (usually with electro-acupuncture), which indicates the incredibly powerful effect some points can have on the body.

At the moment in the world there is a strong focus on opening our hearts to others and keeping an open heart generally.
Although having an open HT/PC is important, a constantly open heart to everyone and everything can be damaging, just as damaging as being closed.
When a person’s PC is strong they will instinctively know when to be open and when to protect the HT by closing the PC. A healthy PC functions like a well-oiled door, it is able to swing open and shut easily as and when it becomes clear that it is the right thing to do.

Article written by Sydney acupuncture expert Ray Ford.

Harvard Health Says Acupuncture Effective For Pain

In our Sydney Acupuncture clinics we have many patients with conditions such as back ache and neck and shoulder pain.  For many people popping a headache pill is their only option for dealing with back pain and headache. Taking an aspirin or headache pill might seem like a quick and easy way to deal with nagging pain, but pharmaceutical drugs like aspirin don't come with there share of side effects. All medications can be toxic to some extent in the body and when taken on a regular basis, can cause long-term health issues that may show up years later.

The ancient art of acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in Asia to treat many conditions such as pain releif.

So How Does it Work?

Hair-thin needles are inserted into the skin at specific points around the body to support healthy flow of enregy through the meridians.

“I think the benefit of acupuncture is clear, and the complications and potential adverse effects of acupuncture are low compared with medication,” says Dr. Lucy Chen, a board-certified anesthesiologist, specialist in pain medicine, and practicing acupuncturist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Research from an international team of experts adds to the evidence that it provides real relief from common forms of pain. The results of nearly 18000 participants found that acupuncture relieved pain by about 50%. The results are published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

If you are looking for a highly skilled and experienced acupuncturist in Sydney then ask us at our clinics about how acupuncture can help.

In Sydney acupuncture can range from $60 - $100 and above for a regular treatment.Many people want to try acupuncture but are initially put off by the price. For some people this is unaffordable, especially if you are looking at regular weekly treatments.

At Experience Acupuncture we provide high quality, gentle treatments at a price that you can afford. Instead of regular prices, we offer treatments for $29. If you are wanting to get an even better price you can purchase a 10 pack (for $200) which means you only paying $20 per treatment.. That's a pretty incredible saving considering your local acupuncturist will charge up to five times the price.

But the thing that we emphasis more than anything is quality and experience. There's no point going for a treatment for $29 if you aren't getting the quality. Thats why we make sure all of our acupuncturists are fully qualified, trained and have years of experience. Our founder and leading Sydney acupuncturist Ray Ford has been practicing chinese medicine for over 25 years, and it is his decades of experience in treating that have helped to make our clinics so popular with everyone from students, to office workers and pensioners. We treat people from all walks of life and we believe that everyone should be able to access the healing art of acupuncture. We think that natural therapies should be for anyone wants it. In Sydney acupuncture doesn't have to be a luxury, it can be for anyone who has wants to heal naturally.

For affordable Sydney acupuncture therapy check out our Chinese Medicine Clinics in Crows Nest, Rozelle, Surry Hills and soon to be Bondi.