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Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is an effective and safe form of health care, developed over two millenia ago. The core of this ancient medicine holds that the body has a life force energy, or Qi (pronounced CHEE) flowing through it.  Qi animates and protects the body from illness, pain and disease.  A person's health is influenced by the quality, quantity and balance of Qi.  

Qi circulates through specific pathways in the body named meridians.  There are 14 meridian pathways traversing the body's landscape.  Acupuncture points are located on these meridians.  Each meridian is connected to specific organs and glands.  These pathways are like rivers and wherever the river flows, life giving water nourishes the land, plants, people and animals.  The body has the same rivers transporting Qi to nourish all cells, organs, glands, and other tissues.  When the body's rivers carrying the life force energy of Qi flow freely, one reaps the benefits of physical, mental and emotional health.  A blockage of this flow creates a dam effect, depriving nourishment to one or more areas that the body requires to function properly.  Many things may affect the body's Qi balance and flow: physical and/or emotional trauma, stress, seasonal changes, diet, lack of exercise or overexertion to name a few.  The body normally bounces back, but sometimes disruptions in Qi flow may be prolonged and one can experience pain or illness.  

Acupuncture seeks to regulate the flow of Qi in the body.  In an initial visit, a thorough history is taken, and the person's tongue and pulse are examined.  The history is compared with the findings in the tongue and pulse, after which the acupuncturist will determine the acupuncture points for the treatment to treat these imbalances.  Extremely fine, sterile and disposable needles are used for the acupuncture treatment.  Unlike their counterparts used for blood draws or shots, these sterile needles are very thin and flexible, similar to the human hair. 

The number of treatments required to treat a condition varies from person to person.  Factors include the severity and duration of symptoms, as well as a person's general state of health.   Acupuncture is natural and side effect free.  Individuals commonly experience deep relaxation and stress reduction from acupuncture treatments.