What is Acupuncture?
Oriental medicine is the oldest, professional, continually practiced medicine in the world. This medical system’s written literature stretches back almost 3,000 years and archeological evidence of acupuncture extends back as far as 4,000 years ago. Oriental medicine works by reestablishing, building and balancing the body’s life force energy known as “Qi” (Pronounce ‘chi’) which runs along the body’s energy pathway or meridians. The acupuncture meridians are like the river and streams that transverse the countryside with definite purpose and direction.
Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles usually stainless steel (sterile and single use) into specific points in the skin and muscles of the body. These points have been mapped out by the Chinese over thousands of years. Recently, electromagnetic research has confirmed that acupuncture points do exist.The needles stimulate the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”) which is a Chinese term for subtle energy. This energy controls the smooth flow of energy throughout the body. Like a fine tuned machine, if one connection is lost, the relay message is lost and the next relay in line to fire is not connected. This creates a domino effect and the end result is “something just isn’t working.” The body is an amazing machine which will tolerate a lot of disharmony before it caves in. The secret to maintaining any machine is proper maintenance and frequent tuning. Acupuncture helps the body heal itself by keeping the connections intact or creating smooth flowing Qi in your body.
Traditionally, acupuncture is based on ancient theories of flow of energy and blood through specific channels and meridians which traverse the body in pathways similar to the circulatory system. As long as the flow of energy is undisturbed, health will be maintained. However, many different factors (environmental, emotional, life style, trauma, improper diet, aging and others) can retard, stagnate and weaken energy flow creating an opportunity for disease to arise. Acupuncture harmonizes the energy flow by placing very fine disposable needles into specific points on the body to reestablish proper energy flow and consequently bring about optimal health. Acupuncture utilizes the body’s own natural energy and healing ability to combat illness.
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most common and dependable medical therapies used in the world. It is simple, safe, effective and sustainable health care by its’ nature.Acupuncture practitioners use thin, sterile disposable needles inserted superficially into specific areas of the body in order to initiate healing and promote health.Over the three decades or so in which acupuncture has developed in the U.S., it has been proven to be not only exceptionally safe when performed by licensed acupuncturists, but statistically effective in an increasing body of scientific studies.
