Acupuncture originated in China centuries ago is based on the belief that energy referred to as “Qi”(pronounced “chee”), flows through a series of pathways along the body that are called “meridians”.

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.

Each meridian is associated with a different organ system. According to traditional Chinese medicine, it is the balance of body’s organs that hold the key of healthy. Imbalance can be caused by external factors, such as environmental pollution, internal factors and negative emotions and poor diet. Imbalance in the flow of Qi through a meridian is how disease and illness happen. The objective of acupuncture is to insert needles into specific points along meridian lines to restore balance of the flow of Qi in these organs.

There are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the body. These points are combined as “interwoven networks” to connect the body as an integrated whole. This means that a specific health condition can be treated from different locations on the body. For example, headache can be not only treated with acupuncture points upon head, but also from points along the hands, feet, back, etc.

Acupuncture involves stimulating. Although Acupuncture has gotten more widely accepted in Western culture in the past 40 years, it has been a respected and traditional form of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The process of acupuncture is to alter and release the body’s energy flow and to even cure various ailments, in much the same way a kinked hose releases to provide life giving water to plants.

Research has proven that acupuncture is successful in improving mood and energy, relieving pain, encouraging healing after injury, and in maintaining good overall health. It can also be effective in reducing or eliminating the need to take certain medications.