The European Federation of Modern Acupuncture

Incorporating Modern Biophysical Body & Auricular Acupuncture

Bio-resonance Techniques - Complex Homoeopathy

Established 1996

Different Types of Acupuncture

There are different types and 'styles' of acupuncture and diagnosis.

The public and non practitioners may not realise this, and that acupuncture is not solely from a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) basis of diagnosis and treatment.

There are European systems that are quite different from TCM, in terminology, anatomy & physiology, chart cartography, concepts, treatment modalities.

What is known as TCM, does not necessarily solely belong to Chinese medicine as this type of treatment was also within the cultures of Egypt and India in the same time periods, if not before ?

In-depth case histories are and should be taken by any of the described practitioners below.

Formulae Acupuncture

This for want of a better term is 'prescription' acupuncture.

A condition or symptom is presented and the practitioner uses a set of known formulae points that they have been taught.

There is no acupuncture diagnosis as such, the symptom is treated, any possible deeper cause or causes are not usually addressed, as the sets of points are a prescription for that symptom.

Usually used by 'Medical Acupuncture Science', doctors, physiotherapists, dentists etc., because of its convenience and 'ease' of learning.

Does not take into account today's environmental impacts.

Five Element Acupuncture

The Chinese pulses on the wrist are used to diagnose what is happening with a person, and which points / meridians need attention to bring balance back to the person Chi 'energies'.

Five elements use Chinese terminology for the description and diagnosis of which point / points are to be utilised.

It does not take into account today's 'environment' as such.

Practitioners can also use herbs to balance the person from what is found.

Needles and moxibustion  are its primary treatments (moxibustion / heat is applied via the herb mugwort, some practitioners use electrical DC heater type units).

Moxibustion is a treatment system within its own rights, without needles.

Electrical (DC) frequencies are used for needles but are generally not taught within TCM colleges.

Referral to doctors at times can be harder because of the Chinese acupuncture terminology used.

Modern Acupuncture

Objective measurements are taken from the person to assess and  diagnose what is happening with the person.

Uses English / Western medical terminology for the description and diagnosis of which point / points are to be utilised.

Tests herbs, homoeopathic remedies, etc., etc., against the points to see which is the most suitable in balancing the points.

Today's environment is taken into account, a typical example / area not covered by formulae acupuncture or TCM are dental problems.

Needles do not need to be used (but can be, dependent on the individual practitioner), frequencies (DC), magnetic fields (MFT), bio-resonance frequencies from the person, colour, sound, can be used singularly or in combination and are taught in Modern acupuncture.

Referral to a doctor is easier because of the Western medical terminology used.

Auricular Acupuncture

Used by TCM practitioners and Modern acupuncture practitioners.

Nogier and Kropej advanced this form of treatment into what it is today, a powerful diagnostic and treatment protocol, using objective measurement techniques, not 'beeper units'.

Nogier and Kropej are taught within Modern acupuncture using 'electrical' measurement units.

Nogier and Kropej are not taught within TCM, nor are 'electrical' measurement techniques or use of these units.

Auricular is seen as being inferior by some TCM schools of thought, so it is taught more as an adjunct to body acupuncture rather than being a primary diagnosis and treatment alternative, in its own right.

It also is still related to anti-smoking, slimming, more recently in years has come to the fore with drug addiction treatments, which use know effective points that can be found using a beeper unit.

As part of this TCM teaching they tend to use beeper units to find auricular points = non measurement, just a point that has been found for adjunctive treatment.

Ask yourself as a prospective patient, which would you prefer to be assessed with for treatment ?

To further illustrate this, if you were a practitioner who utilised a beeper unit that went beep each time a point was located what would it tell you ?

Point has been located i.e. point 1 = beep - point 2 = beep.

What is the difference between the points apart from a beep ?

If with accurate equipment you measured the points and received numerical values do you think the point would be giving you information ?

Point has been located i.e. point 1 = 50 - point 2 = 80 now because of the effectiveness in the points being 'measured' a diagnosis and treatment can be formulated, because a difference has been discerned between their numerical values, which in turn allows the modern auricular practitioner to make a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan.

Now using the above two examples expand the assessment of available points to be measured by 100 possible point locations for treatment.

Objectively which system would you choose ?

These techniques of measurement can also be applied to body points for diagnosis utilising modern acupuncture equipment to measure the points to discern which points require attention /  treatment.

Auricular (ear)  cartography charts are different by Nogier and Kropej to TCM Chinese cartography charts.

It is interesting to note that Nogier's auricular points are being used more in China.

Modern Auricular acupuncture uses English / Western medical terminology for the description and diagnosis of which point / points are to be utilised via measurement techniques, not just beeper units.

Modern Auricular is or can be combined with 'Western' body acupuncture by quadrant measurements and their points, this may in certain instances be facilitated with Kirlian Photography.

In the application of Modern Auricular Acupuncture, frequencies can  also be utilised that have known physiological effects, the use of these frequencies increases the effect of the treatment.  

ACR (Auricular Cardiac Reflex)

Not used or taught by TCM schools or practitioners.

It is taught and used by Modern acupuncture schools and practitioners.

Utilises nervous systems responses to various stimuli as a diagnosis and treatment system.

Various treatment modes as mentioned previously for Modern acupuncture can be utilised.

Uses English / Western medical terminology for the description and diagnosis of which point / points are to be utilised.

Why Suffer When A Modern Acupuncture Practitioner Can Help ?

Last modified: 06/14/08.