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.
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