What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture Needles on Bamboo
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Acupuncture is a 3,000-year-old Chinese technique involving the insertion of fine needles just under the skin in specific locations to treat a wide variety of complaints.

According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture can be beneficial in many lifestyle-related conditions, ranging from neurological and gastrointestinal to mental and emotional. They report that more and more countries are seeing the value of Acupuncture and Chinese herbs in their national health systems. 

Acupuncture point location is based on the concept of Qi (pronounced ‘Chee’), or the life force that flows throughout the body via meridians or pathways. When we are in perfect health, Qi flows freely throughout the body. When we are sick or in pain, Qi’s flow becomes disturbed, manifesting in various symptoms.

The insertion of needles in the specific points along these meridians alters the energy flow ~ dispersing and regulating Qi’s flow in the meridians. The meridians are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues.

A simplified ‘Western’ explanation of acupuncture is that needling the acupoints stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals can trigger the release of enkephalins and endorphins (natural painkillers in the body).

Acupuncture improves the energy and biochemical balance of the body, stimulates our natural healing abilities, and promotes physical and emotional well-being.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is considered to have five functional organs—the Liver, Kidneys, Spleen, Lungs, and Heart. These five organs handle all the functions of the body.

The Liver is responsible for movement – it handles the movement of digestion and blood. However, it also helps move emotional stress and pain through and out of the body.

The Kidneys handle metabolism, the endocrine system, and the strength of the bones.

The Spleen is nothing like the western Spleen; the TCM Spleen is the second half of the digestive process. It’s the absorption and sending of nutrients to all the body systems.

The Lungs govern the entire body’s Qi (energy) and help the Qi circulate and nourish the body.

The Heart is in charge of pumping blood around the body and is responsible for our spiritual and mental activities.