What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of traditional medicine, dating back at least 2,500 years to ancient China.

Acupuncture is centered on the premise that optimal health requires a balanced flow of Qi (pronounced "chee" and sometimes spelled "chi"); a vital life energy that flows through the body along major energy pathways called meridians. Illness, say acupuncturists, results when the balance is thrown out of whack by stress, injury, poor diet, emotional trauma or other factors.

Acupuncturists aim to restore harmony and correct health problems by inserting needles at meridian points, which regulate energy flow. According to acupuncture theory, more than 1,200 “acu-points” exist in the body, each corresponding to particular organs and their function.

During sessions, acupuncturists insert sterile, hair-thin stainless steel needles into various parts of the body and leave them in place for a short period of time, often 15 to 30 minutes at each treatment. The insertion of the needles is practically painless. Nothing is injected into the patient's body, and there is usually no bleeding.

During the treatment most patients experience a deep relaxation and a sense of well-being, most times falling into a deep sleep.

To boost the effect, they may twirl or rotate needles. Usually, patients feel very little, if any pain at all. Sometimes, acupuncturists combine needle treatment with other forms of stimulation, such as finger pressure, heat, lasers, ultrasound, herbs or electrical stimulation machine or wavelengths of lights.