What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a therapy developed more than 2000 years ago in Asia that consists of stimulating designated points on the skin by the insertion of needles in order to restore and balance the body’s energy or “Qi” (pronounced “chi”). It is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which also includes the application of heat (moxibustion), massage (finger pressure, as in shiatsu massage), dietary and exercise prescriptions (tai chi and qi gong), and herbal medicine.
Acupuncture is a word made up of the Latin word acus. Which means needle, and the English word puncture. The general term for acupuncture in Chinese is Zhenjiu. Zhen is the art of needling while jiu means moxibustion, or heat treatment. In Chinese, both words are always together to mean acupuncture; however, when the term was translated into English, only the first half of the meaning was used. Thus, the term acupuncture is actually misleading because it fails to include moxibustion, the other half of the treatment involved. Acupuncture treatment involves the use of needles and/or moxibustion (the burning of a cone of dried artemisia vulgaries on acupoints) for the prevention and treatment of diseases. This method was discovered and developed by the Chinese, and it has a history that is four to five thousand years old. The application of these needles and or moxa to certain points on the body can produce specific functional changes that can achieve certain therapeutic results. Most acu
• Fourteen major energy channels called meridians course through the human body including the head, arms, hands, legs, feet, torso, and internal organs. • A subtle energy called Chi (pronounced chee) circulates via the meridians to all parts of the body, even the most remote cells. • Chi is the vital force, the presence of which separates the living from the dead. Its balanced, unimpeded flow is critical to sound health. • Any misdirection, blockage, or other derangement of the amount, flow, or balance of Chi may result in pain, dysfunction, and ill health. • With acupuncture needles, or other means, the acupuncturist stimulates certain points (acupoints) along the course of the meridians. Such stimulation helps restore the normal balance and flow of Chi so organs and bodily systems can work together in harmony as intended. This sets the stage for the body to repair itself and maintain its own health. Q: MERIDIANS? WHAT ARE THEY? A: Several thousand years ago Chinese physicians discove
Acupuncture is a comprehensive healing system from Asia that is at least 3,000 years old. Acupuncture works with the energy, or Qi (pronounced Chee), that o, ow through the body’s skin, muscles, and organs along pathways called meridians. By stimulating specific points of the meridians, acupuncture directs energy throughout the body’s networks and unblocks the obstructions that cause pain and disharmony. Acupuncture therapies encourage the body to restore its own equilibrium. Modern research and international health organizations agree that acupuncture is a safe and highly effective treatment for a variety of conditions including various difficulties with digestive, respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, musculoskeletal, and immune systems.
Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating filiform needles into “acupuncture points” on the body. According to acupuncture teachings this will restore health and well-being, and is particularly good at treating pain. The definition and characterization of these points is standardized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Acupuncture is thought to have originated in China and is most commonly associated with Traditional Chinese medicine. Different types of acupuncture (Japanese, Korean, and classical Chinese acupuncture) are practiced and taught throughout the world.
