What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of healing known to mankind, dating back to ancient China nearly 5000 years ago. Acupuncture was first recorded two millenia ago in what is called the Huang Ti Nei Ching, or the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. Today, it is still the foundation of all Oriental Medicine.

Acupuncture is a healing art and science based on the laws of nature. It uses the principle that health is maintained by a balanced flow of energy, or Qi (pronounced chee) throughout the body. Illness in body, mind or spirit is associated with some imbalance in the flow of this energy.

Acupuncture assists nature by influencing the patient's vital energy in such a way that it may return to its natural flow and balance. This allows the body, mind and spirit to return to health. Acupuncture takes into account the complexity of each person. Thus, the practitioner looks at the person with the condition instead of just the condition.

Symptoms in the body, mind or spirit are distress signals and not in themselves the prime imbalance. By addressing the under-lying pattern of disharmony, acupuncture treats the cause of the symptoms, not just the symptoms. As balance begins to be restored and the patient's particular condition improves, he or she typically experiences an improvement in quality of life.