The definition given by UNESCO, which listed acupuncture in the “intangible heritage of humanity” in 2010, is very representative of what genuine traditional acupuncture is:

“Traditional Acupuncture forms a therapeutic art which develops its diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning on a Taoist energetic vision of Man and the Universe. “

The word acupuncture was coined by the Jesuits in the 16th century when they discovered Chinese medicine, the real name is Zhen Jiu which means the art of metal needles and moxibustion.

There are two important words in Unesco’s definition: they are art and Taoist.

Acupuncture is a therapeutic art, which means that even if all traditional acupuncturists are trained on the same basis, the way of practicing will be specific to each one.

Taoism, which is a way of life, a way of life as the Taoists themselves say, is the foundation of Traditional Acupuncture. This philosophy is at the very basis of the principles of traditional Chinese energetics and acupuncture.

The Tao invites us to live in harmony with the world around us. Illness occurs when there is an imbalance between the internal energies of man and the external energies that surround him, between the Inn and the Yang. The symptom that characterizes it is the alarm signal that our body sends us when these energies are not in phase.

The role of the Traditional Acupuncturist is to accompany his patients on the path of balance: the path of the happy medium.

For this he uses both needles to act on the meridians and the corresponding organs, as well as moxa, suction cups, massage but also he will give you advice on your lifestyle and your diet.

Acupuncture for weight loss

Acupuncture has no slimming action, it is not suitable for dysmetabolism. On the other hand, it puts in motion the internal energy in agreement with the external energies, and revives the circulation in the meridians thus promoting the good functioning of the organs.

Acupuncture for stress

Very effective on many emotional problems linked to stress: anxiety, sleep, worry, sadness … Acupuncture helps rebalance the emotions and the mind.

Acupuncture to quit smoking

Insofar as the person shows real determination in stopping and is ready for withdrawal, acupuncture and in particular auriculotherapy is very effective in stopping smoking. (In the case of cigarettes, the role of the acupuncturist will be to determine what is the energy vacuum that caused the person to need to put Fire energy into their lungs.)

Acupuncture during pregnancy

Few points are necessary to ensure the good progress of a pregnancy but they are essential.

Acupuncture to counter pain and migraines

It is particularly effective on locomotor problems, tendonitis, arthritis, osteoarthritis, as well as migraines.

The practice of Traditional Acupuncture pursues two fundamental objectives:

• maintain vital energy (Yuann Qi) for the sake of prevention

• harmonize the terrain or the energy imbalance that can come from three causes: systemic, emotional or environmental.

Built on these different principles, Traditional Acupuncture differs from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practiced today.

The evolution of Chinese medicine has taken place over a very long period of time. First the massage (Tuina) then the pharmacopoeia, the art of living well (food and Qi Gong), and the discovery of celestial and terrestrial forces in Man (Acupuncture). All of this was grouped together under the term TCM.

After Mao, Acupuncture had lost this aura of human communication between Heaven and Earth. All that remains is a certain standardization of treatments, recourse to point protocols and reasoning modeled on Chinese herbal medicine.

Traditional Acupuncture has retained its spiritual, symbolic and holistic essence. It is based on a personalized and individualized vision:

Any imbalance, pain, dysfunction is placed in the global framework and the story of life.

Traditional Acupuncture essentially aims to understand the deep mechanisms that are at work, at the origin of the imbalance of the person.

Any traditional acupuncturist knows that restoring only internal energy balance is not enough and that it is essential to reconnect Man to his environment and to the movements of the universe of which he is the receptacle.

Because if there is imbalance and internal blockage of energies, it is because this relation of Man to what surrounds him (circadian and seasonal cycles, celestial climatic energies, planets …) was at some point broken.

The theory of Kan Tche, keystone and essential tool of ancient and traditional Acupuncture, takes into account these movements (the moons, the planets, the eight winds) and makes it possible to integrate, in the treatment, points which are real sensors of these energies.

The acupuncture points chosen during a session are based on what the Chinese call the “root” and the “branches” of the problem, that is to say that it is necessary to treat both the background (l life history, the specific terrain of the individual, the climatic and emotional environment within which he evolves) and the “form” (symptoms, appearance), by making a complete traditional energy balance (vitality or fatigue , physical appearance, color and smell of the skin, palpation of the belly, appearance of the tongue, radial pulses, etc.).

Traditional Acupuncture therefore appears to be perfectly complementary to Western medicine: one focuses on the individual, his personal history, his uniqueness and his vitality, the other on illness and a standardized approach to treat it, valid for the greatest number.

How does a session with the acupuncturist take place? 

The first session After several general questions aimed at knowing the background of the person, his energy profile, the reasons for his request and the health problems known to date, comes the time for the energy diagnosis: “the 8 steps” or 8 principles which designate eight categories: Yang Yin – Interior Surface – Fullness Empty – Heat Cold. A physical observation (abdomen, tongue, eyes …), as well as the Chinese pulse check allows to obtain the energy balance. A first acupuncture session with needles concludes this assessment.

The use of needles A needle is placed on an acupuncture point, either to fill the meridian (toning) or by opening the meridian to stimulate the circulation of Qi (dispersion)

The duration of the needle break varies according to the age of the person, but will always be around 20 to 30 minutes: in winter 30 minutes in toning, 45 minutes in dispersion. 20 minutes in summer in toning, and 30 minutes in dispersion.

The other methods acupuncture points can also be stimulated by pressure (tuina massage, shiatsu), suction cup, heat (moxa powdered mugwort compacted in combustion or Wei Qi lamp) or even today light (lumino and chromotherapy)

The frequency of the sessions also varies according to age and whether the energy disturbances are chronic or acute: the longer the problem has been present, the more it will be necessary to space out the sessions and take time.

Acupuncturist training

Traditional acupuncture is practiced by therapists trained according to ancient texts. Today’s traditional acupuncturists share a common vision of the spirit and practice inherited from ancient Chinese physicians; this lineage reached them through a transmission from master to student relayed by the precursors of Acupuncture in France (Messrs Duron, Borsarello, Chamfrault, Laville Mery, Blard, Lavier, Faubert, Timon).

It can be non-physicians as well as physicians, provided that they practice according to the fundamentals stated above.

The practice of acupuncture seems to go back to ancient times without our being sure. Chinese archaeologists have found many needles from the Zhou period (-1045> -245) but this does not prove their real use.

On the other hand, proven medical texts were found for the first time in 1970 in the tomb of Mawangdui (168) where the paths of the acupuncture meridians are clearly represented.

The reference book of traditional acupuncturists is undoubtedly the Huangdi Nei Jing, whose heterogeneous texts were undoubtedly compiled between -200 and the first century of our era.

The Jesuits sent by Louis XIV were among the first to translate these ancient texts and allow the West to discover Chinese medicine.

After a few unsuccessful attempts, notably by Louis Berlioz’s father, a doctor in his profession, it was especially from 1927 that France discovered acupuncture thanks to the writings of the sinologist Georges Soulié de Morant.

Thierry Folliard, practitioner in traditional Chinese medicine: “I don’t like the expression“ soft medicine ”which is inappropriate in my opinion, although it is in common use. Traditional Acupuncture must be used with real rigor, because it sets in motion powerful energy processes, which must be known with precision. The often spectacular results that we obtain are there to prove it ”.

Eric Moulin, acupuncture practitioner: “Acupuncture, a thousand-year-old therapy, is a formidable ally for those who wish to stay in good health. It is also a very good support in the follow-up of chemotherapy. I share Thierry’s idea about alternative medicine, acupuncture can be anything but gentle. It will be said to be an alternative for those who want to follow the path of the Tao and take care of themselves if they are in good health, it will be said to be complementary in the case of support for heavy or chronic treatment ”.