Common Questions About Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the therapeutic modalities of traditional Chinese medicine that help ease symptoms, promote healing and prevent disease. It is a 3000-year-old-oriental therapy that helps relieve many modern daily conditions and allow the bodies to self heal. Acupuncture was developed in China as a safe and effective system of diagnosing and treating pain and disease. Acupuncture involves the painless insertion of very fine, pre-sterilized disposable needles along specific body points to regulate the flow of energy (called chi). There is no injection of any substance and treatment itself causes minimal discomfort.How does acupuncture work?

   Acupuncture seeks to treat health on the level of energy. The vital energy is what helps to keep us alive and functioning properly. There are pathways in the human body wherein this energy flows, called meridians, or channels. The body is a network of interacting energy. An even distribution and smooth flow of these energies will maintain well-being in body, mind and spirit; health is promoted whereas any interruption, depletion or stagnation in these energies can lead to disease. The principle of acupuncture is to diagnose energy imbalance and treat the deeper underlying cause in addition to alleviating the symptom. It aids body’s natural processes, helping the body to re-order the interaction of energies and heal itself.  

Scientific research have indicated that acupuncture helps stimulate the body’s ownsubstances, such as serotonin and endorphins, which are involved in modulating or blocking pain and prompting relaxation. Endorphins help to block pathways that relay pain messages from the body to the brain, resulting in relief of pain, general relaxation and biochemical restoration of the body’s own internal regulation systems. The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing abilities thus reducing inflammation and promoting physical and emotional well-being.


What is the treatment process like?

Atypical session lasts from 20 to 30 minutes. During this time the points may be stimulated by twirling the needle or applying a small electrical current. Heat or cupping may also be used to stimulate the acupuncture points. Most people will feel relaxed, even dreamy and may doze off on the treatment table, even with needles in. After the treatment, it’s common to feel energized and calm.