While acupuncture, the ancient Chinese medical therapeutic method of healing, has been around for an estimated 6000 years, its practice among the residents of Gouves, Hersonissos and Malia townships is virtually non-existent.

More than that, most people do not even understand the basic principal of acupuncture, other than it involves sticking big needles into the body.

Of course, a comprehensive report on acupuncture would require considerable more space than is available in these pages. However, what follows is an educational synopsis on that particular practice of medicine which is meant to serve as an introduction for the general public.  

The first written chronicles about acupuncture appear around 2000 BC.

According to Chinese traditional medicine, ailments display themselves on the body’s surface, which acts as a kind of mirror where the different disturbances and dysfunctions of the system are reflected.

Thus, with the manifestation of a disease, certain skin points are sensitized. These points have been named “acupuncture points”. 

The comprehensible lines which connect these acupuncture points with corresponding body organs constitute channels, called meridians.

The Chinese traditional medical profession considers that the human organism is influenced by several environmental conditions.

 Just as Hippocrates thought that health depends on a “medium level” between hot-cold and wet-dry, and also on the influence of the wind, so do the Chinese maintain that those elements or conditions influence the human organism.

In general lines, the function of acupuncture on the human organism can be considered as analgesic, calming, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant, and as a balancing agent of the different functions.

According to data from the World Health Organization which was factualized by extensive clinical and laboratory research, and reported in national and international acupuncture symposiums, the more important indications for acupuncture include:

allergic bronchial asthma, childhood asthma, allergic rhinitis, inflammation of the upper jaw cavity, spastic colitis, constipation, headaches, migraines, vertigo, stiff neck syndrome, lumbago, sciatica, discomforts of the sternum, arthritis and localized conditions of the knee, shoulder, foot etc., muscle pain (localized or overall), chronic tiredness, stress neurosis, phobias, neurological ailments, memory disturbances, sleep and behavior adjustment.

“A definitive improvement has been observed in certain conditions, such as mild depression, obesity and nicotine dependence,” said Dr. Nikos Hronakis of Gournes.

Although most people still associate acupuncture with Chinese practitioners, this ancient form of healing is becoming increasingly popular with western doctors, who must attain an additional degree to become a doctor of acupuncture.

Maria Vasilaki, owner of the Aramnos Taverna in Anopoli, who suffers from chronic  lower back and neck disc inflammation, said she has been receiving acupuncture treatments for over three years now, rather than the usual physiotherapy.

“I get almost immediate relief from these treatments,” she claims, “as opposed to the physiotherapy where I have to complete the series of treatments before seeing any relief at all.”

After her disc surgery some years ago, she was told by the doctors that she could never do any heavy work, and that her back would always be a source of extreme pain.

“Over the years, I have been able to keep the pain in check, through preventive acupuncture treatments,” she said.

Further information on the subject of acupuncture as practiced in our townships is available by calling Dr. Hronakis at 2810-761361 or 6979733616.