Acupuncture is the traditional Chinese technique of inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms.
The traditional Chinese Medicine theory is that a disease process in the body is due to an imbalance of our Ying and Yang energies. This imbalance disrupts the flow of Qi (chi), our body's vital energy. Acupuncture needling is believed to enhance the flow of Qi and bring our Ying and Yang energies back into balance.
Scientific researchers in the west have done several studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture and also the science behind how it works. There are hundreds of published articles in medical journals on the science of acupuncture and its effects. What they have found so far is very interesting. They have found that acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins (our bodies own natural pain killers) in the central nervous system which enhances analgesia in patients. There is also significant evidence that opioid peptides are released during an acupuncture treatment also enhancing analgesia. Acupuncture has also been shown to reduce inflammation.
Acupuncture consists of the insertion of very fine needles into specific locations in the body. The needles used are sterilized, one-time use disposable needles made of stainless steel. Treatments generally last approximately 20-30 minutes.
Many conditions can be helped with acupuncture treatments. There is clear evidence to support the use of acupuncture in these conditions: stroke rehabilitation, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, carpel tunnel syndrome, asthma, nausea and vomiting, acute dental pain, sciatica, as well as any musculoskeletal pain.
