The Chinese began using acupuncture more than 4,000 years ago, and it has been the subject of continuous study and clinical experience since that time. Historians have conjectured that over the centuries more people have been helped by acupuncture than by all other health sciences combined.
Simply put, acupuncture is the use of very fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body to rebalance an individual’s Qi (pronounced chee), or internal energy. Qi is the force or energy that flows through all life. As Qi is stimulated to move freely, balance is established, which normalizes functions of the body. This balance and unimpeded flow is key to health in the human body. Disease manifests and remains when a person’s Qi becomes weakened or impeded to such an extent that it can no longer heal.
Acupuncture is only one part of Chinese medicine, which is holistic, treating the whole person rather than pain or symptoms alone. It is a complex system of examination, diagnosis, and treatment that seeks to relieve pain and distressful symptoms by assisting individuals to find balance in their lives. Preventive maintenance is central to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, and this extends to diet, breathing, exercise, and emotional health.
Acupuncture can be supportive in a variety of situations to help achieve and maintain health and assist in reducing discomfort and pain. Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with Western medical treatment, especially addiction therapies, recovery from surgery, and to alleviate side effects from chemotherapy. It is best known for reduction of pain and promotion of healing, but is used for a vast array of other symptoms, listed under What Does Acupuncture Treat?
Unlike drugs and surgery, acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive type of medicine. For millions of people, there is little doubt that it works.