Acupuncture is an effective form of medical treatment that has evolved into a complete holistic health care system. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this noninvasive treatment method to help millions of people become well and stay well.
Acupuncture promotes natural healing. It can enhance recuperative power and immunity, support physical and emotional health, and improve overall function and well-being. It is a safe and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.
Why does Acupuncture Work?
The body contains specific pathways called meridians. There are fourteen main meridians inside the body. The diagram to the left shows the meridian pathways in the body. Each of these is connected to specific organs and glands.
Meridian pathways are like rivers flowing inside the body. Where a river flows, it transports life-giving water that provides nourishment to the land, plants and people. Similarly, where meridian pathways flow, they bring life-giving energy that provides nourishment to every cell, organ, gland, tissue and muscle in the body. Acupuncture is an effective tool for enhancing the nervous system, circulatory system, and endocrine functions in the body.
What Causes Pain?
An obstruction to the flow of blood or electricity is like a dam. When things becomes backed up in one part of the body, the flow becomes restricted in other parts. This blockage can be detrimental to a person’s health, cutting off vital nourishment to the body, organs and glands.
Physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, poor diet, accidents, or excessive activity are among the many things that can influence the quality, quantity and balance body functions.
Normally, when a blockage or imbalance occurs, the body easily bounces back, returning to a state of health and well-being. However, when this disruption is prolonged or excessive, or if the body is in a weakened state, illness, pain, or disease can set in.
What does an acupuncturist do?
During the initial exam a full health history is taken. Questions are asked regarding health, symptoms and lifestyle. An appropriate physical exam is conducted, including pulse and tongue diagnosis.
Gathering this information enables the practitioner to effectively diagnose and detect any specific imbalances that may have contributed to a person’s health problems. The practitioner can then create a well-structured treatment plan.
Once the imbalances are detected, an acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints along meridian pathways, in muscular tissue, along nerve pathways, or other areas that increase blood flow and stimulate the brain. This safe insertion of the needles can unblock the obstructions where they’ve become unbalanced. Once this is done, blood and energy can freely circulate throughout the body, providing adequate nourishment to cells, organs, glands, tissues and muscles. This can eliminate pain and restore balance and harmony, as well as the body’s ability to heal itself—ultimately leading to optimal health and well-being.
