Acupuncture is a method of treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine. It is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body – most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. This specific point stimulation is done to cure disease, relieve pain, and promote healing, treating various physical, mental, and emotional conditions.

Many of the specific points are located over the 12 basic meridian or channels which are commonly used during treatment. The human body’s energy flow courses over the twelve meridian which are normally well balanced. If a disruption of energy flow exists, it can alter the entire system, producing pain and/or a variety of symptoms in the body.

Chinese philosophy believes the forces of yin and yang act in the human body as they do throughout the natural universe as a whole. An imbalance of yin and yang results in an obstruction of the life force of qi in the body.

Qi flows through the 12 meridian or pathways in the body, each in turn associated with a major visceral organ (liver, kidney, heart, etc.) and with a functional body system. Acupuncture is designed to affect the distribution of yin and yang in these meridian so that the qi will be enabled to flow freely and harmoniously, eliminating disease and physical disharmony, thus restoring the person to health.

IS TREATMENT PAINFUL?

One would assume inserting a needle into the skin would be painful since most of us can relate to being stuck with a pin or having a hypodermic
injection. However, four Acupuncture needles can easily be inserted into the hollow tube of a hypodermic needle. Because of the extreme slenderness of the needle, most people compare the sensations “less than a mosquito bite.” A phenomena referred to as “TEHCHI” occurs when the energy is contacted. This sensation is felt as a mild to moderate heaviness or tingling. Needles obviously still have their place in clinical practice. However,
many physicians certified in Acupuncture and licensed Acupuncturists are employing electronic and laser stimulation to the Acupoint with equal effectiveness as the needle. Both of these procedures are painless and are quickly becoming standard worldwide. The tapping needle “teishein” is not really a needle as it does not pierce the skin. It produces a mild to moderate sensation. Compare it to tapping a ball point pen on the skin. This form of stimulation has been used successfully for centuries. Thumb pressure is equally impressive and not considered painful.