What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used for centuries to treat back and joint pain, circulatory problems, diabetes, hyperactivity, sinus/allergy problems, migraines, drug addition, obesity, and many other disorders. . It is a minimally invasive, virtually painless alternative therapy, that balances the body’s energy pathways to promote healing, increase circulation, decrease inflammation, and restore balance and overall wellbeing.  

Acupuncture, simply stated, is a health science which is used to successfully treat both pain and dysfunction in the body.   Acupuncture is rooted in China, then spread through ancient Egypt, Middle East, Roman Empire, and Western Europe.   It was introduced in the United States in 1971 when Nixon made a trip to China.  

Early Chinese physicians discovered there is an energy network running just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior to the internal organs and structures at over 1000 acupoints on the body.   This energy force is known as Qi (pronounced “Chee”).   Qi consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, emotional, mental, and the physical aspects of life.   Qi works in harmony with the body’s circulatory, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary, and all other systems.   When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system becomes evident.   Stimulation of one or a combination of key acupoints on the body may restore harmony to the affected area.

Qi travels throughout the body along Meridians (or channels).   The Meridians are the same on both sides of the body (paired).   There are fourteen main meridians running vertically up and down the surface of the body.   Out of these, there are twelve organ Meridians in each half of the body and two unpaired midline Meridians.


The acupuncture points are specific locations where the Meridians come to the surface of the skin, and are easily accessible by “needling.”   The connections between them ensure that there is an even circulation of Qi.

How Does It Work?

Medical research continues in this country and others to attempt to explain in western scientific terms what the ancient Chinese described seventy centuries earlier.   Here is what we do know:

     ● Acupuncture raises levels of certain hormones and enzymes that boost the body’s immune response
     ● Placing a needle in the skin stimulates the brain to send endorphins (the body’s natural pain killers) to the         area and interrupts the small nerve fibers responsible for the perception of pain.
     ● Acupuncture constricts and dilates blood vessels helping with inflammation, pain, and immune response.

Obviously the number of treatments will vary with different conditions and individuals.   Chronic problems generally require more treatment.   Some patients notice immediate improvement after the first visit while others may not notice significant change until the sixth or seventh visit.   Most patients receive maximum benefit after 8 to 16 treatments (2 to 4 times a week).

There are many conditions that respond to acupuncture treatments.   The most common are:   lower back ache, neck pain, arthritic conditions, headache (including migraine), joint pain, sinus congestion, allergies, general and specific pain control, and relief of muscle spasms.   There have been clinical trials in the use of acupuncture in treating anxiety disorders and depression with good success.   Likewise, moderate success rates have been found in treating addictions to alcohol, nicotine, and drugs.   However, while acupuncture can rid the body of the physical dependency, it can not rid the mind of the habit (psychological dependency).   For this reason, acupuncture treatment of addictions has not been fully successful.

For acute problems where there has been little or no organ system or tissue damage, results are often permanent. For chronic conditions, symptoms may recur from time to time.   Generally a few additional treatments are sufficient to obtain relief.   Patients with severe or chronic conditions should return for a “booster” treatment two to three times a year.