What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture originated in China where it has been practiced for thousands of years ago. It is part of the holistic system of healing known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Acupuncture is the gentle insertion of very fine needles at specific points on the body. This process stimulates movement of energy within the body, allowing natural healing to take place. Acupuncture helps to prevent illness by improving the overall functioning the body's immune and organ systems. Acupuncture is helpful for: 

• Treating existing illnesses and injuries
• Preventing both recurrence of illnesses and new illness
• Improving overall health

How does acupuncture work?

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory
    The Classical Chinese explanation is that energy (Qi) flows in channels (meridians) throughout the body and over its surfaces. These channels are rivers of energy which are referred to as meridians.  Each of the major organs in the body is associated with its own  meridian.  Through the network of meridians the internal organs are connected to certain areas and parts of the body including the muscles, bones, joints, and other organs.  

The Chinese believe that health is a manifestation of balance, both within the body itself and between the body and the external environment. When the body is internally balanced and in harmony with the external environment,Qi flows smoothly through the meridians to nourish the organs and tissues. If an obstruction occurs in one of the meridians, the Qi is disrupted and cannot flow properly. When the Qi cannot flow smoothly or is forced to flow in the opposite direction, the body's innate balance is disrupted and illness results.

    Acupuncture points are the specific points on the meridians where the Qi is both concentrated and accessible. Acupuncture engages the Qi by inserting needles at these specific points, the goal being to restore the proper flow of Qi. As the body regains its natural balance, well-being returns.

Acupuncture and Modern Science    
   Western Science and Traditional Chinese Medicine ultimately rely on the body's natural healing ability to maintain health and protect against disease. Both have the same goal of helping a person stay healthy. Advances in Western medicine - drugs and procedures - are invaluable. At the same time, patients have profound improvements in their health and wellness when treated by an Acupuncturist using gentle needling, bodywork and lifestyle counseling. Combining both systems creates an ideal environment of health and healing.

    To the human body, acupuncture needles are a physical stimulus. In Western science, a stimulus is defined as a detectable change in either the external environment or within the body itself. When the body detects change, it produces a response. Although acupuncture is not yet fully understood by Western science, with modern technology scientists can now actually begin to "see" the body's response to acupuncture. For example, using an MRI (a very sophisticated x-ray), researchers have shown that when a needle is inserted at specific acupuncture points on the body, corresponding changes occur in the brain.

    In the West, acupuncture is most well-known for its ability to relieve pain so the majority of research thus far has been done in this area. Acupuncture points are now believed to stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to release pain-relieving chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord and brain. Acupuncture may also stimulate other chemicals to be released by the brain, including hormones that influence the self-regulating system of the body.