Acupuncture is the traditional Chinese method of promoting health and in so doing suffering and pain is reduced. The theory behind this oriental therapy is that there is a vital energy flowing through the body known as qi and this energy flows through channels in the body called meridians which are directly linked to the organs within the body.
Sickness occurs when there is an imbalance of the vital energy flowing within the body and the areas or acupoints along a meridian need to be treated in order to restore balance to the vital energy. Over one thousand (1000) acupoints exist and the traditional treatment associated with acupuncture is that of special needles being stuck into a specific area along the meridian.
The acupoint chosen of course will be dependent on the sickness or pain being experienced by the individual at the time. The method is said to be painless and the experience or feeling can be that of mild numbness or tingling or even a pulsation in an area distant from the actual acupoint. Despite the use of needle there is no blood in the process and patients are usually relaxed and in less discomfort after a treatment, however a patient usually requires a series of treatments before significant improvement can be experienced.
Acupuncture has been around for more than five thousand (5000) years and having survived the test of time it is evident that acupuncture is an alternative medicine therapy which continues to make a positive contribution to the medical fraternity.