What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a system of health care that has grown into a comprehensive and holistic medical practice. This practice of medicine has developed over 4000 years whereby practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnose and treat patients based on diagnosing patterns of imbalance and/or disharmony in the body.

By placing thin sterile disposable needles at specific areas an acupuncturist encourages healing by boosting immunity, physical and emotional well-being. Acupuncture is also a wonderful tool in preventing new and recurring  illnesses.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

The foundations of TCM is the philosophy that our “Life Energy”, which practitioners may refer to as “Qi”, flows in channels and meridians, like rivers, throughout the body, internally and externally. This energy or “Qi” which moves through these meridians creates a network to nourish all parts of the body and interconnect the organs.

When the body’s internal balance and harmony is in sync with the external environment, Qi flows effortlessly through the meridians to nourish the organs and tissues. When blockages occur in this flow, the body’s balance is disturbed and illness results. Other modalities will often accompany acupuncture, such as Acupressure and/or Tuina Massage, Cupping, Moxabustion, Auriculotherapy, etc.

Acupuncture awakens and engages the “Qi” by inserting needles at specific acupoints, restoring the balance and flow.

Acupuncture has shown to have positive results for numerous conditions including the following:

Digestion
• Diarrhea, constipation, diabetes, ulcers colitis, indigestion

Eyes-Ears-Nose-Throat
• Tinnitus (Ringing in the ears), earaches, poor eyesight, dizziness, sinus, infections sore throat, hay fever

Dermatological
• Eczema, acne

Musculo-Skeletal and Neurologic
• Arthritis, neuralgia, sciatica, back pain, bursitis, tendonitis, stiff neck, Bell’s palsy, Trigeminal neuralgia, headache, migraine

Mental-Emotional
• Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Insomnia

Genito-Urinary and Reproductive
• Impotence, Infertility, premenstrual syndrome, vaginitis, menopause, irregular periods and
cramps, morning sickness

For more information regarding acupuncture and for a list of ailments that have been researched and proven
effect, click on the following link: Essential Medicines and Health Products Information Portal – A World Health Organization resource