FAQ
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is a modality of treatment from a 2500+ year old system of medicine originated in ancient China, called “Traditional Chinese Medicine” (TCM). In recent years, this time-honored healing art has gained wide acceptance as a powerful complement to conventional modern medicine. An acupuncturist will place fine, sterile, disposable needles at specific acupoints on the body. This activates the body’s Qi and promotes natural healing by enhancing recuperative power, immunity and physical and emotional health. The National Institute of Health, the World Health Organization, and other national and international health and medical bodies have come to integrate and promote acupuncture as a safe, effective, and low-cost method of treatment for a wide variety of disorders.
DOES IT HURT?
The sensation of an acupuncture needle varies. The needles are hair thin, and you may feel a slight pinch as it is inserted, but generally it is painless. Once inserted, you may begin to feel sensations of warmth, heaviness, cramping, tingling, or electric sensations around the needle or traveling along the meridian pathways. These sensations are a positive response that Acupuncturists seek to elicit. When you experience this, you are feeling the movement of your Qi.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
According to TCM theory, the body has 14 main meridians through which a peculiar physiologic phenomena, Qi (pronounced “cheeâ€), flows. Each meridian runs along the body surface, and is connected to specific organs and glands. Meridian pathways are like rivers. Where a river flows, it transports life-giving water that nourishes the land, plants and people. In the same way, meridian pathways transport life-sustaining Qi and blood to nourish every vital physiologic component and process in living organisms
Excess, deficient, or obstructed Qi causes pain and dysfunction. The meridians can be influenced by needling acupoints along their trajectories which unblocks the obstruction, influences organs, and reestablishes harmonious flow. This results in the elimination of pain, expedited healing, improved energy, biochemical balance, and overall physical and emotional well being. Indeed, modern research has confirmed that acupuncture has a strong effect on stimulating endorphins, serotonin, cortisol, ACTH, and other chemicals that our bodies produce in order to heal disease and maintain a healthy state.
WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE BE USED FOR?
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as effective in treating various conditions.