Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Although Acupuncture has become widely accepted in Western culture in the last ten years, it has been a respected and traditional form of Chinese medicine for thousands of years.  Acupuncture is the use of tiny, sharp needles inserted at precise locations on the body in order to open blocked energy (or Qi) pathways. This process is believed to alter and release the body's energy flow in order to cure various ailments, in much the same way a kinked hose releases to provide life giving water to plants.  Some examples of conditions that Acupuncture may remedy include: Depression, anxiety, various types of muscle or joint pain and sports injuries.

Benefits of Acupuncture:

• Emotional Benefits - Along with providing stress relief by opening energy pathways, the acupuncture procedure has also been known to help clients who have been diagnosed with emotional disturbances such as, depression, anxiety, insomnia, obesity and smoking addictions.
  
  
• Physical Benefits - Acupuncture adjusts and alters the body's energy flow, therefore it allows faster healing from various forms of physical ailments.  These ailments include, sports injuries, migraines, hip or back pain, bladder infections, menstrual or premenstrual issues as well as infertility.

Risks?   Is Acupuncture Safe?

Acupuncture is known to be a very safe form of treatment for many illnesses and rarely causes any serious side affects.  However, there are a few side affects that, although are normal for patients undergoing treatment, can some times cause concern.  These include, slight irritations at the site of insertion and an increase in symptoms 24-48 hours after treatment.  Even though these symptoms can be alarming, they are only indications that the Acupuncture is working.  In order to ensure your comfort in undergoing treatment, consult your acupuncturist with any questions or concerns.

The History of Acupuncture

Although Acupuncture has been a recorded treatment in China for 2000 years, it is believed by authorities to have existed for more than 4000 years.  The treatment (originally represented by the character "Chen", which, literally means "to prick with a needle") was dubbed "Acupuncture" by Willem Ten Rhyne, a dutch physician who visited Nagasaki Japan in the 17th century.  Believed to have been around since the stone age, Acupuncture was represented by the character Bian, after the small stone knives that were used to puncture and drain abscesses.  The use of Acupuncture conceptualizes the morality of early Chinese medicine by promoting both physical and spiritual harmony in order to cure ailments.