What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a 3,000-year-old healing technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It improves body functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific anatomic sites -commonly referred as acupoints. The most common method used to stimulate acupoints is the insertion of fine, sterile needles into the skin. Other acupoint stimulation techniques include: manual massage, moxibustion or heat therapy, cupping, application of topical herbal medicines and more.
Traditional Chinese medicine is based on an ancient philosophy that describes the universe , and the body, in terms of two opposing forces: yin and yang. When these forces are in balance, the body is healthy. energy, called "qi" flows along specific pathways, called meridians, throughout the body. This constant flow of energy keeps the yin and yang forces balanced. However, if the flow of energy gets blocked, like water getting stuck behind the dam, the disruption can lead to pain, lack of function, or illness. Acupuncture therapy can release blocked qi in the body and stimulate function, evoking body's natural healing response through various physiological systems. Modern research has demonstrated acupuncture's effect on the nervous system, endocrine and immune systems, cardiovascular system, and digestive system. By stimulating the body's various systems, acupuncture can help to resolve pain, and improve sleep, digestive function, and sense of well-being.