Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into the body to regulate blood flow and activate the body’s Qi (pronounced “chee”), or energy. Qi runs in specific, interconnected channels in the body, called Meridians, much like the network of blood vessels. Qi connects to, permeates, and influences every aspect of a person’s body, mind, and spirit.

Qi flows through the Meridians, nourishing the body’s cells, tissues, muscles, organs, glands, and the brain. The state of Qi affects the Mind, Emotions, and the physical body.

Disease and pain occur when the Qi and/or blood become stuck or out of balance. Activating the Qi and blood with acupuncture needles removes these blockages. It promotes natural healing and boosts immunity, physical and emotional well-being, and overall function.

Through careful diagnosis, asking questions, looking, listening, and feeling, an excellent acupuncturist can determine where the Qi and blood are out of balance or stuck and the right course of action to correct them.

An acupuncturist can affect treatment by the points chosen and how the needles are manipulated. For example, the acupuncturist may decide to use electro-acupuncture, or they may choose to warm the needles. In some cases, the needle is manipulated by hand to release trigger or motor points to aid in treating certain muscular conditions. In other cases, the needles may be gently inserted and not manipulated.

Many people ask how acupuncture works. Western science has sought to find the answer, but so far, only theories exist. It is thought that acupuncture points stimulate the central nervous system, which causes a release of chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may boost the body’s natural healing abilities.