ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture,  the main modality utilized by practitioners of   traditional Chinese Medicine, is also used in varied forms by practitioners of the traditional medicines of Japan, Korea, and India.

The core philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine is over 3000 years old and is based on the concept that Qi, or life energy, flows through the body in a network of pathways known as meridians.  A blockage or dysfunction of Qi can cause pain, imbalance, and eventual disease.

Acupuncture, the insertion of very fine, surgical grade, stainless steel needles to stimulate specific points along these meridians, is said to restore the proper flow by either strengthening weak Qi or moving blocked Qi, thereby returning to body to a state of balance and well-being. A long and rich history of development in the art of Acupuncture has produced much documentation of clinical and empirical research.  Western science is only now beginning to measure and document acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating various conditions, ranging from headaches and back pain to IBS and PMS.

The World Health Organization has developed a system of defining and characterizing these acu-points to ensure precision.  There is a general agreement that acupuncture is safe when administered by a well-trained acupuncturist (R.Ac.). According to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, acupuncture is considered helpful in the treatment of the following conditions: