Blog Layout

How Posture is Important in Acupuncture

July 20, 2024

In the treatment of acupuncture, posture and movements are beneficial for the healing process, when used collaboratively. In a healing environment, this combination is very important for clients in different age groups, and with health conditions, as these techniques can make clients more comfortable and ready for the healing benefits of acupuncture. 


Clients in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are recommended to adopt specific breathing techniques, postures, and healing mindsets when receiving acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, cupping etc. This is because these techniques can work on influencing the meridian energy flow, improving the effectiveness of specific treatments. 


When you are receiving acupuncture, different postures will be suggested by your practitioner depending on which meridians need to be focused on for the treatment, and what health conditions or considerations need to be made. For example, when a client is having a very stressful day mentally and emotionally, they have often gained a lot of tension in the front and face partition due to experiencing a lot of conflict, or stress front on. This can influence where the acupuncture is focused on in the appointment. In the work context, people hold a lot of tension in the front of the body such as in their face, chest, abdomen, and top of feet. Tension in the face can result in headaches, jaw tightness, sleeping and snoring issues. Therefore any issues in the front of the body and face require a ‘face-up’ position or posture for acupuncture. 


In TCM, it is believed that the back is young and has a young meridian, which keeps people stronger and recharged. The young meridians and the functioning of the qi in these places can be targeted with acupuncture to help relieve pain, and to energise and revitalise clients. For this effective treatment, the face down, or ‘back-up’ position is implemented. Thus, a focus on posture in TCM can result in different results for specific concerns. 





The sides of the body and their importance can be demonstrated through the analogy of two-way-traffic. Either side of your body is a different way that traffic is flowing, which regulates the flow of energy to the different exits, or sides of the body. This occurs to distribute qi evenly in the body, as when you lie on one side, the energy is able to flow to the other side through the use of gravity. Lying on your side is beneficial for ensuring that the left side of your body communicates energy to the right, and vice versa. 


We spend the majority of our lives standing or with our heads up. This is not only an alert and aware posture, but lying on your side can be used to offset the repetitiveness of this posture, and restore balance as the sides are able to communicate to each other. 


Good posture can make the front and back equally distributed in energy, and aligned with gravity. When the qi is evenly distributed to the sides, the front and back aren’t necessarily being balanced as well. The front and back of the body is about the flow of energy from the top to bottom, bottom to top, front to back, and back to front. Thus, the positions or postures in your daily life, and thus when you receive acupuncture, are important for how the energy travels throughout the body, which has benefits for your overall health and body balance.


While in the lateral postures of healing, breathing often tends to be secure, smooth, and comfortable. Therefore, the posture of lying on your sides can be recommended to clients to improve their breathing throughout the treatment, and additionally, throughout their daily lives. Although, different postures may also be suggested to clients for their unique health concerns. 


Acupuncturists may also suggest specific postures that can support you, depending on your condition. For example, pregnant women may be given unique positions/postures to benefit them in their healing and to help release tension in muscles. This is because the baby’s size, weight, and the way it is being carried can have an impact on the body, and these concerns can be cared for specifically. For this condition, cushions, heat packs and towels can be used or situated in certain positions to make the client feel more comfortable before treatment can be carried out. 


Clients that are in the rehabilitation stage of a service or sports injury, and aged clients, can also benefit from additional things such as cushions, and from changes to posture to ensure that the client gets into the appropriate position for the meridians to be aligned, which effectively balances the flow of energy in the body, optimising the treatment outcome and healing progress. 


Therefore, postures are extremely important in TCM and in acupuncture as they can assist acupuncturists in knowing which meridians to focus on, making the healing treatment more individualised. 







March 26, 2025
Pain is a natural part of life and a common experience for many people. It often serves as a signal from your body, indicating that something needs attention. This signal may come in various forms—changes in temperature , blood pressure , breathing patterns , or physical discomfort. While pain can be unpleasant, it can also be useful in helping you understand your body better and take proactive steps toward healing. These changes within your body that can be observed through the feeling of pain, can help you to become aware of what is happening with your body, so that you have the opportunity to take notice of your symptoms, and seek help. This means that pain can assist you in making you feel more open and connected in understanding how your body and mind are feeling and changing over time. This is the philosophical level to explaining pain, which can hopefully provide you with a grounding feeling, and less of a hopeless feeling, as you can understand that your body is presenting these symptoms for a reason.
March 3, 2025
Moxibustion, or Moxa, is one of the traditional therapies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This therapy has existed even longer than acupuncture, as the needle for acupuncture needed to be developed . Moxa works by applying a specific herbal remedy with heat to target certain points in the body for different therapeutic functions. It is not just the heat itself that makes this treatment effective, but rather it is how Yin and Yang and the energy force are worked through selected points, encouraging the qi to further circulate in the body, relieving tension, and removing specific symptoms of illness or discomfort. This treatment is also beneficial as the warming sensation is essential for comforting and improving cold, weak, or chronic conditions, as well as enhancing qi or yang deficiency patterns in patients by moving the energy through the body’s 12 meridians . This therapy also focuses on the prevention of diseases and the maintenance of overall health and well-being.
November 18, 2024
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a combination of good foods and Chinese herbs is essential for overall health and wellbeing. A small amount of traditional herbs can be eaten daily alongside a healthy diet, for additional nutritional support and for maintaining balance, and good health. This is known as food therapy and medical diet therapy in TCM, and this helps to balance the Yin and Yang through a combination of nutrition and exercise. Traditional Chinese herbs are an edible type of medicine that have been used in TCM for many years. The herbs are used for healing, and for providing many health benefits. Herbs often have a bitter taste, putting off some people from trying this simple way to improve your lifestyle. A core feature of TCM is the belief that a combination of the five flavours in our diet supports our vital organs and overall health, which are Sweet, Salty, Spicy/Pungent, Bitter, and Sour . So, herbs can often be eaten in combination with special fruits, nuts, and seeds to make for a more pleasant, and slightly sweet taste. This can also help you to gain additional nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This combination of food and traditional Chinese herbs is a remedy that can support your immune system and vital functions. These small portions of combined seeds, fruit, and Chinese herbs, can be eaten daily and through a variety of methods. It is common for these to be eaten in bread, porridge, or through forms of steaming.
Share by: