Acupuncture is thousands of years old and used widely across the world. The theoretical underpinnings of the medicine involve regulating the flow of Qi (also called Chi or Ki) that animates all living things. It is in the nature of all living things for that energy to flow freely and, ideally, there are no areas where that flow is blocked. In reality, no person exists in a vacuum, and components of daily life like stress, poor diet, inactivity, and sleep deprivation can stagnate us, leading to dysfunction and, potentially, disease over time. Ever notice how your shoulders seem to get closer and closer to your ears throughout the course of a stressful day? Or how being confined in an airplane seat can make your low back stiff. Often the only way to make it feel better is to get up and move around? Qi operates in a similar way. This is where acupuncture enters the picture.
The needles are inserted into specific points on the body to regulate the flow of Qi to improve limb and organ function. Nothing is being added or taken away and the acupuncturist does not act as an omniscient priest telling the body what to do. Instead, I like to think of an acupuncture treatment as a gentle nudging for the body to right itself, much like a simple adjustment of position in a boat can keep it from capsizing.
Acupuncture is a non-addictive, chemical-free practice that can treat both chronic and acute issues. It is perhaps best used to maintain good health in an already healthy person, working in union with balanced eating, adequate sleep, and regular exercise – things that used to seem like pampering but we are beginning to accept as essential to lifelong wellness.
Acupuncture’s effectiveness has been proven via rigorous peer-reviewed trial and error sessions, and we are already witnessing its inclusion in the finest research hospitals across the country. It is the perfect compliment to many western medical treatment protocols and can also be used exclusively to treat many conditions.
If you have a question about acupuncture or how it can treat a specific medical condition, contact us!