Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an essential part of traditional Oriental medicine, a comprehensive system of health care with continuous clinical history of over 3000 years.

These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body's ability to heal itself.  

How Does It Work?

It has been scientifically determined that human beings are energetic systems.  When the balance of this energy is disturbed, pain or illness results.  Acupuncture treatment corrects the energetic imbalance by encouraging the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Acupuncture uses needles, heat and electrical stimulation to change the body's network of energy pathways to activate the body's energy.   Extremely fine, hair-thin needles are place on local or distal points on the energetic pathways (meridians) leading to the body's organs, muscles and nerves.  When the needles are inserted you may experience a sensation or tingling, heaviness or warmth.  Some people feel no sensation at all.  People are often surprised that treatments are very relaxing.  Fourteen major energy channels called meridians course through the human body and organ systems.  A subtle energy called qi circulates via the meridian system to all parts of the body, even the most remote cells.  Qi is the vital life force.  It must be in constant balance and unimpeded flow for optimum health.  Any blockage or misdirection of qi may result in pain, dysfunction, and ill health.

With Acupuncture needles the Acupuncturist stimulates certain points called acupoints along the course of the meridians.  This stimulation helps restore the balance and flow of qi to restore health and harmony to the body.  This sets the stage for the body to repair itself and maintain its own health.   The main purpose of acupuncture is to relieve pain and other symptoms, strengthen and balance the body.

Acupuncture releases endorphins within the central nervous system.  Endogenously generated morphines are the brains own opium like painkillers.  These chemicals have powerful abilities to suppress pain.  They bind to specialized opiate or endorphin receptors in the brain.  May opiate receptors are found along pathways in the brain that carry pain messages.  Activation of these receptors by internally generated endorphins have the same effect of inhibiting the transmission of pain signals to the central nervous system.

Recent studies have also proven the effect of Acupuncture on the limbic system- resulting in deep relaxation and the elimination of stress. Acupuncture is a very safe medical procedure when administered by a qualified practitioner.