Acupuncture is the insertion of fine sterile needles to produce a therapeutic effect that has proven to be beneficial in treating pain, relieving stress, and hundreds of other conditions. Acupuncture both treats and prevents, and is wholistic in that it harmonizes mind, body and spirit.
What Does Acupuncture do?
Having roots going back thousands of years, acupuncture, a part Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is one of the oldest continuously practiced and recognized medical systems in the world.
Acupuncture itself is a term that applies to the insertion of very fine surgical grade stainless steel needles into the skin in order to achieve a therapeutic response. This scientifically based method safely and effectively encourages your body’s natural ability to heal. Once the needles are gently in place, you will likely find its effects to be deeply relaxing both mentally and physically.
Long before allopathic medicine originated in Europe, East Asian doctors recognized that our bodies form patterns of disharmony as a result of ongoing physical, mental, and emotional stressors that disrupt the flow of Qi (Chi). This upsets the balance of Yin and Yang which over time, can lead to disease. Acupuncture encourages healing by restoring the flow of Qi throughout our bodies via channels and meridians, bringing Yin and Yang back into balance.
From a modern perspective we have scientific evidence showing that acupuncture, by creating a microtrauma on needling, regulates blood flow to fascia, muscles, joints, tissues, and organs. Local needling releases the amino acid adenosine, which becomes active after injury; distal needling has more of an effect on the midbrain, which encourages healing via other mechanisms. All styles of acupuncture cause a release of our body’s immunomodulators as well as endorphins and enkephalins which are natural painkillers that also positively affect mood and behaviour. By inserting and gently manipulating tiny sterile medical grade stainless steel needles at specific acupoints, our bodies are encouraged to return to their natural balanced state.
….grade stainless steel needles at specific acupoints, our bodies are encouraged to return to their natural balanced state.”
For those of us who are drawn toward the esoteric side of acupuncture, all we need to do is observe Taoist Philosophy where everything is infused with Qi, and Man is considered to be in a dynamic energetic interaction “ between Heaven and Earth”. If there is a ripple on one level, it affects the others. In this way when healing occurs in man, the effect is experienced in the world around us. A more concrete example is shown when a human’s suffering is relieved with acupuncture. Reliance on medications that can cause side effects, dependence and addiction is avoided as is the societal impact of those side effects and addictions. The earth is relieved of the negative footprint of drug manufacturing. Furthermore when suffering lifts, one’s spirit elevates and spreads via the butterfly effect to all sentient beings. We can thus have a positive impact on the world around us through healing and observing the ways of nature.
Everything is infused with Qi, and Man is considered to be in a dynamic interaction between Heaven and Earth.
The foundations of acupuncture recognize that everyone is unique, thus a point prescription for one person will differ from another even if they have the same condition. Unlike conventional medicine which suppresses symptoms, patterns of disharmony are treated and corrected, allowing healing to occur. Acupuncture also addresses disharmonies that occur before a disease is recognized by conventional medicine. It is thus preventative.
While most people are aware that acupuncture works well for pain relief, they are not aware that it also supports emotional wellbeing, enhances physical performance, and is effective in women’s health It is a tool that encourages peace of mind and wellness on all levels; it is evidence based and backed by the World Health Association.
