Acupuncture is a part of a holistic health care system, meaning it is integrated into other approaches for total health.
Acupuncture is a proven form of medical treatment that has evolved over centuries of effective use and growth. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this noninvasive treatment method to help millions of people learn about wellness, become well and stay well.
Simply put, acupuncture promotes natural healing. Acupuncture aids in the way a body heals itself. Through treatment, recuperative power and immunity can be enhanced. Additionally receiving acupuncture treatments can support physical and emotional health while improving overall function and well-being.
Acupuncture is a safe, painless, and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.
Ever hear of “Chee”? It is really Qi. So, what is Qi?
At the core of this ancient medicine is the philosophy that Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, flows throughout the body. Qi animates the body and protects it from illness, pain and disease. A person’s health is influenced by the quality, quantity and balance of Qi.
How does Qi move?
Qi is both simple and complex. Quite simply, it is a flow of energy. From the complex view, Qi flow through specific pathways called meridians. There are fourteen main meridians inside 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 Qi that provides nourishment to every cell, organ, gland, tissue and muscle in the body.
How is Qi disrupted?
Like anything that has direction and flow, Qi can get disrupted. An obstruction to the flow of Qi is similar to a physical blockage. To imagine this, think of a dam stopping the glow of water. When Qi becomes backed up in one part of the body, the flow becomes restricted in other parts. This blockages of the flow of Qi 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 an balance of Qi.
Normally, when blockage or imbalance occurs, the body easily bounces back, returning to a state of health and well-being. However, when this disruption is prolonged to excessive, or if the body is in a weakened state, illness, pain, or disease can set it.
What does an acupuncturist do?
An acupuncturist is a health practitioner, and that practitioner becomes part of your health them. During the initial exam a full health history is taken. With no judgement passed, 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 of Qi that may have contributed to a person’s health problems. The practitioner can then create a well-structured treatment plan.
Once the imbalances of Qi are detected, an acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints along meridian pathways. This safe and painless insertion of the needles can unblock the obstruction and balance Qi where it has become unbalanced. Once this is done, Qi 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.
