What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of extremely fine needles on the surface of the body to influence or change physiological functioning of the body. The acupuncturist stimulates certain points, called”acupoints”, along the course of meridians to help restore the normal balance and flow of “Qi” (pronounced “Chi”) so organs and bodily systems can work together in harmony. When Qi is balanced, the body can then repair itself and maintain its own health.
What is the Qi?
The body has an energy force called Qi, also known as the life force. Good health depends on a balanced distribution of Qi throughout the meridian network and influences the organs as well as all bodily systems: skeletal, muscular, endocrine, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive and nervous.
How old is Acupuncture?
Although we can not precisely pinpoint the beginning of this ancient health care method, based on sound archaeological discoveries, we do know that acupuncture in a rudimentary form dated back several thousand years. That means acupuncturist have been treating ill people for a very long time.
What happens when the flow of Qi becomes blocked?
Qi can become blocked by environmental triggers, organ malfunction, contagious disease, injury, and emotional responses to life such as stress. If the flow of Qi is blocked or disrupted, the patient can become prone to pain, a weakened immune system, and ill health. A blockage of Qi may cause a deficiency of Qi beyond the blockage and buildup of Qi behind the blockage, which may mean diminished activity of some organs and accelerated activity of others.
What can be done about blocked and unbalanced Qi?
The acupuncturist will first do an examination which may include several diagnostic procedures such as pulse diagnosis, observation, interviewing the patient, and doing a physical examination. After an examination, the acupuncturist will make a diagnosis and begin to carry out a treatment plan to normalize the flow and distribution of Qi by stimulating selected acupoints. Fine needles are inserted into the trigger points along the meridians to remove blockage, which restore energy flow and regulates the function of organs.
What are meridians?
There are 14 primary meridians which form a highly complex network transporting and directing Qi to every part of the body, including the head, arms, legs torso, organs and systems. There are hundreds of points in the meridians where Qi can be accessed And stimulated, identified over millennia of experience and observation by Chinese practitioners
