What is Acupuncture

Before Western Medicine came into China from the beginning of the 19th Century, Chinese traditional medicine was the only treatment known by people. Acupuncture was an important and effective therapy. Owning a history of more than 2,000 years, Chinese acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that has been practiced since the Warring States Period (BC 475-BC 221). Chinese acupuncture treatment is based on the theory of energy, called chi (say "chee"), which flows through and around the human body along pathways called meridians.

Acupuncturists believe that illness occurs when something blocks or unbalances chi inside the human body. Acupuncture is a way to unblock or influence chi and help it flow back into balance. The acupuncture treatment is done by putting some thin needles into the skin at certain acupoints on the human body. These needles influence energy flow and smoothen the energy balance.

To findthe places to access the chi that is blocked or not flowing right, acupuncturists always ask questions about and where do the patients feel uncomfortable, where do they use their muscle most frequently, to decide where to place and how deep to place the needles.

What does it feel like

Acupuncture treatment gives the skin slight pressure when a needle goes in. Seldom do patients feel pain during the treatment. Actually tingle, numb, itch, or even a little sore sensations are the common feelings when patients are receiving acupuncture treatment, and that’s all normal signs showing the energy flow, or chi, which has been accessed. After the needle is placed, Acupuncturists may roll the needle slightly back and forth. For modern acupuncture, some other therapy may be added such as heat or electricity on the needle.

Traditional Chinese people used to go to an acupuncturist to relieve pain and treat certain health conditions. Actually, modern studies have proved that acupuncture could be used to treat nausea and vomiting related to pregnancy, chemotherapy, and post-surgery pain.

When needles penetrate the human skin, nobody could be sure that the treatment is without any risk, although in fact injuries are rare among patients treated by trained practitioners in some countries. As a kind of perceived “dangerous” therapy especially among the western world, acupuncture is not totally received by some countries. For example in the US, needles are required by law to be sterile, disposable and used only once. Some other countries allow needles to be reused if they are sterilized in an autoclave.