The Acupuncturist's Toolbox - Paul Heijer on Ear Acupuncture
May 28 World Menstrual Health Day - a TCM perspective on women's health
The acupuncturist's toolbox - customized for your complaint
May 12 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and the value of acupuncture
World Asthma Day May 6 - Space for breath
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs in the Netherlands: safe and reliable
The Dutch Association for Acupuncture is a solid professional association of well-trained therapists. The educational requirements of the NVA and the internal regulations regarding ethics, hygiene, and complaint and disciplinary law ensure that the patient is in reliable hands with an NVA acupuncturist.
NVA members offer thorough TCM*-treatment methods, the effectiveness of which has been established in practice and research projects. So much so that acupuncture is increasingly mentioned in guidelines and recommendations, even in mainstream healthcare.
* TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture in Cancer
This applies, for example, to acupuncture in cancer. Please note, NVA acupuncturists provide supportive care to these patients, improving their quality of life. Acupuncture can make a difference in the side effects of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Consider fatigue, nausea, skin problems, numbness in hands and feet, loss of taste, menopausal symptoms, and loss of concentration.
It is gratifying that more and more oncologists are drawing patients' attention to acupuncture. Open communication between doctor and patient about the use of complementary care is essential. The fact that acupuncture is mentioned in more and more (mainstream) guidelines makes it easier.
Chinese Herbs in Cancer Treatment
Chinese herbs can also be used to alleviate side effects, requiring extra attention to prevent herb interaction with the applied therapy. Research is being conducted worldwide on the effectiveness of herb combinations against cancer. This is not surprising when you consider that many conventional medicines originate from substances found in the plant or animal kingdom. Just like in conventional treatments, thorough research is conducted in these studies.
Regulations
The Chinese herbs we work with in the Netherlands are all tested for quality and ingredients. Products containing components from endangered animals or plants have been banned on the European market for years and are not used by NVA acupuncturists. They only use herbs with approved components by Europe and ensure good, responsible care!
WHO Guidelines
Since 1979, the WHO (World Health Organization) has recognized the effectiveness and applicability of acupuncture. They published an overview of conditions that respond well to acupuncture to varying degrees. Since then, more studies and reviews have been published on this topic. See the Knowledge Centre for more information.
Over the past fifteen years, the WHO has collaborated with T(C)M parties worldwide to standardize diagnostic methods in the ICD-11. This aims to better map, compare, and publicize the applications and effectiveness of traditional medicine.
