What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is the therapeutic insertion of thin needles into specific acupuncture points throughout the body. According to traditional Oriental medical theory, these acupuncture points are located on meridians along which Qi or Chi (vital energy) flows. This natural flow can be easily be disrupted by disease, stress or trauma and may result in pain, discomfort or poor health. When this occurs, the insertion of needle(s) into the appropriate acupuncture points can augment and redirect the Qi to restore the body's natural balance.
In Western medicine, acupuncture points correspond to regions of high enervation and muscle group concentration. Acupuncture has been shown in research studies to promote nerve tissue regeneration and endorphin release. Acupuncture enhances immunity, removes inflammation and improves overall body function. Acupuncture is a safe and effective way to treat a wide variety of problems.
Acupuncture is used more often for various types of pain relief than for any other single purpose. Acupuncture as pain therapy is fairly non-invasive and non-habit forming. Acupuncture is a generally safe treatment to administer, has a very low risk profile and a particularly high success rate. The acupuncture practitioner must be well trained and licensed to work on a patient. They must know where the acupuncture points are in order to know where the needles should be inserted.
Acupuncture can be used for pain relief for both acute pain (migraine headache) and/or chronic pain such as ongoing back pain. Acupuncture has also been used to successfully relieve pain and symptoms in cancer patients and arthritis sufferers. Acupuncture is used for various orthopedic treatments, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, simple joint pain and weight loss.
Although the exact physiological mechanism by which acupuncture works still remains elusive, what is clear is that acupuncture patients have been experiencing relief of their symptoms for thousands of years. In the present day, acupuncture is utilized by almost all professional sports teams and a growing population of doctors view acupuncture as a viable alternative to surgery in many cases.