What is acupuncture?

In Chinese culture, acupuncture has been an established treatment for more than two millenia. The treatment involves inserting very fine needles at strategic points on the body. There are said to be more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the body. The Mayo Clinic describes acupuncture as the balancing of the Qi or chi (energy or life-force) that flows through meridians or pathways in your body. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is commonly used to address pain, but the treatment can be used to alleviate many other symptoms. Additionally, acupuncture is used holistically to maintain overall wellness and in stress management.

What does acupuncture involve?

The treatment begins with a licensed practitioner examining the patient to determine how the Qi can be rebalanced. Then the acupuncture needles are applied in precise locations to achieve the desired result. The needles may also be manipulated during treatment. Most patients feel little or no pain from the insertion of the needles.

Can acupuncture help you?

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in China and East Asia, and it is an accepted treatment around the world today. As a treatment to relieve many symptoms, acupuncture has proven very effective when applied by a trained acupuncturist. According to studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following conditions:

• Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy
• Dental pain after surgery
• Addiction
• Headaches
• Menstual cramps
• Tennis elbow
• Fibromyalgia
• Myofacial pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Lower back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Asthma