Acupuncture is a gentle treatment that stimulates the balance and flow of energy (qi). According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), everything in the world is made up of energy, including the physical body and feelings a person has. In TCM, qi (pronounced chee) is essential to health. When the body is healthy, qi flows through the meridians that make up a conceptual network of pathways throughout the entire body. When the balance or flow of energy is deficient or obstructed it may be diseased or susceptible to illness.
Acupuncture treats both the symptoms and the root causes of a patient’s illness. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins – the body’s natural pain relieving neurohormones. Through the insertion of needles into specific anatomical points, acupuncture encourages natural healing. Atraumatic acupuncture needles are rounded at the tip so they slide smoothly through the tissue and are unlikely to cause bleeding. Most patients find it to be relaxing, causing minimum discomfort. Acupuncture needles are very fine, metallic and as thin as hair, making them quite painless during insertion. Needles are left in place for 15-30 minutes during which time the practitioner may manipulate the needles in order to strengthen or reduce the flow of qi. Acupuncture can be used to treat people of all ages, from children to seniors.
Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture:
- Pain relief
- Increased energy
- Improved mood
- Improved body function