What
is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture,
which originated in China, has been practiced for thousands of
years. It successfully treats all kinds of ailments. Now Acupuncture
is one of the most widely practiced and accepted forms of natural
medicine in the world. It is a way of adjusting the body's "life
energy" (Chi or Qi) flow. It involves the insertion of the
fine needles into carefully selected acupuncture points along
the channels (energy pathways) of the body. Points are selected
on the basis of pulse and tongue diagnosis, observation, and questioning.
The points affect the channel system. Each channel has a specific
effect on a specific body system or organ of the body. Needles
are inserted on the points and manipulated, either by twirling
or by gentle pumping action. This removes blockages or stimulates
energy flow. Stagnant energy can be dispersed and the whole energy
flow regulated back to balance. Acupuncture can be used to treat
diseases and relieve symptoms as well as to promote general health
and well being.
How
Does Acupuncture Work?
The
theory behind acupuncture is that illness is created by imbalance
energy in the body. Correcting the imbalance restores bodily health.
This is achieved through the use of acupuncture. With the proper
skill in the use of fine hair-like needles, the latest research
has shown that health can be restored.
The
way it works is three-fold. The needles simulate the mid-brain,
which in turn release some natural substance known as endogenous
morphine or endorphins. These in turn contain three kinds of effects:
1.
As pain killers
2. Anti-inflammatory
3. Nerve lubricants
This
natural substance is 20 times more powerful than morphine without
it's harmful side-effects. Thus the effectiveness of acupuncture
harnesses the body's own system to produce the desired effect
to its optimum.
Since
the automatic nervous system is also normalized the "side-effect"
experienced is that beneficent one of relaxation, increased energy,
and well being after treatment.
