What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the primary treatments used in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. According the TCM, acupuncture promotes the body’s healing abilities by regulating the flow of Qi (vital life energy in the body, pronounced “chee”) by inserting very fine needles into specific points in the body. Over many years, TCM has mapped out the flow of Qi in the body through a system called meridians. Each of the 12 main meridians connects to one specific organ, or group of organs, that govern particular bodily functions. Illness results when Qi stagnates or is blocked, or when the body has too little, or too much, of it. When energy flows freely, wellbeing is restored.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture is an ancient technique in which a skilled practitioner inserts hair-thin needles into specific points on the body to prevent or treat illness. Practiced for over 2,500 years in China, where it originated, acupuncture is part of the holistic system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which views health as a constantly changing flow of energy, or qi. In TCM, imbalances in this natural flow of energy are thought to result in disease. Acupuncture aims to restore health by improving the flow of qi. It has not been fully explained how acupuncture works within the framework of the Western system of medicine that is commonly practiced in the United States. It is proposed that acupuncture produces its effects through regulating the nervous system, thus aiding the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites in the body. In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and, thus, affecting the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes that regulate a person’s blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.

Healing By Touch

A basic physical connection, that everyone wants to do and be done to them when they are unwell, with the addition to the power and energy of the Universe at your disposal.

Acupuncture therapies that will achieve balance throughout your body, which can correct many problems. With these problems corrected, pain can be eliminated. The needle is one of the means to correct problems with Acupuncture, but all of our means are natural as well as surgery and drug free. Give your Minnesota Chiropractic a call.

Note: In TCM, Kidneys are referred to as a whole system in the body and mind, and not an individualorgan pair as we talk about in the Western anatomical and physiological approach. To remind us of this difference the words referring to TCM are capitalized.