New acupuncture business established

A new business specialising in traditional Chinese acupuncture, healing techniques and herbal medicine has been opened in Woy Woy

The Chi Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, Message and Herbal Medicine clinic in Chambers Place aims to cater to members of the community who are interested in exploring and using alternative medicine and healing therapies to cure their ailments.

Medical practitioner Stefan Haffner, who founded and now runs the clinic, said he hoped the procedures at the clinic would help to improve the sense of community health and well being and provide residents with a non-invasive treatment that will heal the mind, as well as the body

Mr Haffner has a bachelor degree in health science, specialising in traditional Chinese medicine and has completed a clinical internship in Beijing.

He said that western medical experts had increasingly come to recognise that there was a link between the emotions and the physical well being of the body.

For example, when people are under intense stress and pressure, they will sometimes develop stomach ulcers

"Chinese traditional medicine has long recognised the connection between the mind and the body," Mr Haffner said.

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles into the body at specific points for the treatment of specific health problems.

"The Chinese have mapped these points over a period of 2000 years," Mr Haffner said.

Mr Haffner said the World Health Organisation had recognised that certain diseases can be treatable with acupuncture.

These include certain ear, nose and throat, muscular system, eye and muscular disorders and gastrointestinal diseases

Mr Haffner said he decided to set up a business in Woy Woy after a holiday on the Peninsula where he fell in love with the business and scenery in the area..

He said he was also pleased with the location of his new business because it was centrally located and therefore easy to access.

Mr Haffner received his qualifications in western medicine and served as an ambulance driver before becoming interested in traditional Chinese medicine and healing techniques after receiving acupuncture treatment for stress.

He has run a clinic in Sydney for the last two years and is a member of the Australian and Chinese Acupuncture Association.

Owen Lewis, March 16