Acupuncture
What Is Acupuncture?
The ancient Chinese art of acupuncture is dated back at least four thousand years. Basically, acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles, on the body’s surface, in order to influence function of the body.
Acupuncture is often used to relieve pain. It is based on the theory that there is energy flowing through your body, called chi. Chi flows through channels or energy pathways in the body called meridians. When the flow of chi is blocked or unbalanced at any point on a pathway, it may result in illness.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe acupuncture unblocks and balances the flow of chi to restore health.
Western medicine practitioners theorize that acupuncture reduces pain through biological mechanisms involving changes in neurotransmitters, hormones, or secretions of endorphins and enkaphalins.