Acupuncture is one of the many therapies used by Chinese Medicine Practitioners and has been practiced for over 2000 years. It is a well regulated therapy which is now accepted and used as an Allied Health practice throughout the world alongside Western and other integrated medicine. The practice involves a detailed diagnosis by your practitioner looking at your tongue, feeling your pulse and asking many questions about your current and past health status, lifestyle and diet. After making a diagnosis looking at the root cause of your complaint, the practitioner will gently and painlessly insert needles into acupuncture points carefully selected from the hundreds available to suit your symptoms.
Chinese Medicine Classical literature and studies suggest these points are found along meridians which run close to the surface, connecting with channels deep within the body and linking to organs and various body functions. At these points, it is suggested by the Classics, that the Qi (pronounced chee) or body's bio-energy and chemistry can be influenced by needling using various regulating techniques, creating a healthy balance within the body and its functions. There is a great wealth of traditional theory which is broad and deep supporting this ancient and dynamic practice which is now being further investigated and validated by today's Western scientific tradition and research. (see Acupuncture Information button for further research and detail)
Acupuncture has been shown to raise levels of specific hormones, prostaglandins, white blood cells, gamma globulins and antibodies, generally helping the body to maintain its natural balance and support its own immune system processes. It has also been shown to release the body's own pain killers the endorphins. Other research shows positive effects on the cardiovascular system and other systems within the body bringing them to a state of homeostasis.
However, the great ancient masters have simply described these processes as balancing the proper movement and flow of Qi throughout the body to promote health and resist disease.