Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve function. The practice involves inserting sterilized, stainless-steel needles (that are as fine as a human hair) into specific points located near or on the surface of the skin which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to treat a wide variety of illnesses. Acupuncture is one of the major treatment modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

TCM views a person as an energy system in which body and mind are unified, each influencing and balancing the other, emphasizing a holistic approach that treats the whole person. Your practitioner will make a Chinese medical diagnosis based upon a thorough examination and consultation. The examination includes the assessment of the pulse and tongue. Once a diagnosis is made, your acupuncturist will choose the most appropriate acupuncture points for treatment.

How does Acupuncture work?

The Eastern Explanation for how Acupuncture works is that the life energy flowing through the body, which is termed ‘Qi’, can be influenced and balanced by stimulating specific points on the body. These points are located along channels of energy known as meridians that connect all of our major organs. According to Chinese medical theory, illness arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes unbalanced or is blocked.

A more Western scientific explanation of acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points located near or on the surface of the skin, which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to achieve the desired effect. Acupuncture points are areas of designated electrical sensitivity. Inserting needles at these points stimulates various sensory receptors that, in turn, stimulate nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system at the base of the brain.

The hormones and chemicals that are released reduce pain, regulate the endocrine system, calm the nervous system, regulate serotonin levels, stimulate the immune system and regulate the heart’s rhythm.

Acupuncture has been seen to affect the transmission of nervous impulses, and it is thought that this effect helps to block pain impulses from reaching the brain. In addition, acupuncture has been seen to effect the dilation and constriction of blood vessels. This effect on blood flow is thought to play a part in the healing and repairing of damaged tissue, as well as the maintenance of healthy body tissue.

The release of endorphins and endogenous opiates, natural pain relievers and mood modulator, has also been observed to play an important role in the therapeutic effects of acupuncture.

Physicians and patients alike are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of acupuncture, which has been shown to be effective for these and many other illnesses:

•  Asthma and allergies
•  Back, neck and shoulder pain
•  Carpal tunnel syndrome
•  Chemotherapy effects of nausea/vomiting, aches/pains, insomnia
•  Chronic pain
•  Colitis
•  Depression and anxiety
•  Endometriosis
•  Headaches
•  High blood pressure (hypertension)
•  Infertility and women undergoing IVF treatment
•  Insomnia
•  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
•  Menopause
•  Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
•  Sciatica
•  Skin conditions and aging see facial rejuvenation
•  Smoking cessation
•  Stress