What is Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine?

The theory and practice of acupuncture is based on a comprehensive holistic health care system that has been used in Asian countries for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, prevent illness and maintain health.

Acupuncture treats a wide variety of health conditions by stimulating points found at specific locations of the body. Acupuncturists stimulate these points by inserting very thin needles through the skin to elicit physiological effects. Additional methods may also be used to stimulate acu-points, such as heat, cupping or moxa (a Chinese herb).

The basic philosophy of acupuncture is that optimal health and proper physiological function depend on the circulation of energy (called Qi - pronounced "chee") through a network of meridians that run throughout the entire body. This network connects with every organ providing balance, regulation, and coordination of physiological processes.

Illness often results when the flow of Qi through the body is disrupted or blocked. This can be caused by many things including; disease, trauma, injuries, stress, overwork, poor sleeping habits, emotions and poor nutrition/ diet.

By stimulating the appropriate points, acupuncture helps to restore optimal flow of Qi throughout the body; restoring health and balance to the body while relieving symptoms that are presented. Acupuncture includes a diagnostic system that considers the person as a whole, rather than focusing on each individual symptom, in order to uncover the body's pattern of disharmony. This method focuses on treating the underlying cause of illness, which ultimately helps alleviate the symptoms and increase the body’s optimal function.

The potential benefits of acupuncture are widely recognized, and it continues to become integrated with Western Medicine. More than 15 million Americans have tried acupuncture and Chinese medicine since it was introduced in the United States in the 1970s. The risk of side effects from acupuncture is low while the potential benefits are high.

In November 1997, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) made its first formal endorsement of Acupuncture by stating, "There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its physiology and clinical value."

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