In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is traced back at least 2,500 years. It is linked to the belief that disease is caused by disruptions to the flow of energy, or qi, in the body. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease.
It is believed that each meridian channel contains 'qi," life force energy, thus when 'dis-ease' takes place it is directly related to an imbalance in the flow of qi. Each meridian channel holds several acupoints, some more than others, and it is understood that each acupoint relates to certain emotional and spiritual information.
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile, single use, disposable needles into specific sites, which stimulates points on or under the skin called acupuncture points releasing this qi. The qi then travels through channels called meridians and corrects imbalances of flow at identifiable points close to the skin.
Some experts have used neuroscience to explain acupuncture. Acupuncture points are seen as places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissue can be stimulated. The stimulation increases blood flow, while at the same time triggering the activity of the body's natural painkillers, alleviating illness and imbalance caused by many factors such as lifestyle, stress, emotional trauma, poor diet, injury and disease. Health is restored when the flow of qi and blood in the body is balanced.
It can be effective in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions (see the Acupuncture Evidence Project).
Only single-use, sterile, high quality, disposable needles are used.