What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced for over 3,000 years.  Specific points on the body are chosen along pathways called “meridians”.  Very fine needles are inserted into these areas in order to allow the body’s energy, or “qi,” to be released and help move its natural flow by opening blocked areas.  This movement helps to:

• prevent future illness
• improve the immune system
• remove energy imbalances
• regulate spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical harmony
  of the body

Acupuncture is a unique healing experience.

Acupuncture works by restoring a state of dynamic balance within our body. A symptom is a sign that there is an imbalance in the body. Just as a car will stall when the engine is out of tune so too our bodies let us know when there is something wrong by creating discomfort which can be physical, mental or emotional or any combination of these three.

Symptoms don't appear without reason! They can only arise if there is an imbalance in one of the body's organs. For example a toxic liver may give rise to the symptom of a headache.

Acupuncture works because it is able to stimulate the appropriate organ or organs to redress the imbalance. So, for example, a toxic liver can be stimulated to detoxify or a sluggish bowel can be stimulated to eliminate. When the liver has detoxified then there are no more headaches, as the cause is treated the symptom no longer occurs.

If an imbalance is not corrected then a symptom will continue and may become more severe over time. The skill of a good acupuncturist is to treat imbalances before they become more severe.

The needles used are extremely fine, so there is no discomfort in having acupuncture. Even the most nervous patients are pleasantly surprised at how painless acupuncture actually is!