What is Acupuncture?    

The intent of acupuncture

Promote health and alleviate pain.

Acupuncture views of health and sickness

• Vital energy, energetic balance, energetic imblance
• The pathway of flow of the body's energy is through Meridians or Channels
• Acupuncture points (acupoints) are stimulated by small thin needles (most acupuncturists use disposable needles).  Today, many additional forms of stimulation are incorporated including herbs, electricity, magnets, and lasers.  The aim is to adjust the "vital energy"

Acupuncture as a branch of Western Medicine?

• Acupuncture philosophies are different from those that make up Western Medicine.  This is a new concept that will engender much debate.  However, many western medical doctors are turning to acupuncture to help treat their patients.
• Regardless, Acupuncture is a form of medicine that we can all partake - with little side effects, and big gains.

How old is acupuncture?

Acupuncture originated in China over 2000 years ago

Spelling variants of acupuncture, synonyms, etc.

Accupuncture, accupressure, acupressure, acupoke, accupoke, stylostixis, TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine.

When did acupuncture become popular in the United States?

It became more widespread in recognition in the US in 1971 when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain related to emergency appendix surgery.

Does acupuncture work?

Promising results have emerged with research on acupuncture on postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain.  There are other situations which have shown promise in studies involving addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, ibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma.  The NIH has funded a variety of research projects relating to acupuncture.

Using Western medicine principles, how does one explain acupuncture?

We have not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works using the framework of the Western system of medicine.  It is proposed that acupuncture produces its effects through regulating the nervous system via endorphins.  Perhaps it also stimulates immune system cells at specific sites in the body.  Additional studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones - with the ability to affect parts of the central nervous system which regulates sensation, blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.

What is the Chinese Medicine explanation of how acupuncture works?

The body is a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces:  yin and yang.  Disease states are caused by imbalances due to bloackages in the meridians.  It is believed that there are 12 main meridians and 8 secondary meridians and that there are more than 2000 acupuncture points on the body that connect with them.  These acupuncture points are ways of depleting or replenishing the energies, and unplugging the blockages.

What is Yin and Yang in terms of acupuncture or ear acupuncture?

Yang refers to the energy of the sun/daylight, positive, energetic, forceful, powerful.  Yang meridians have direct connections to ear acupuncture points.  Yang is the sympathetic nervous system.

Yin refers to the energy of the moon.  It is quiet, passive, serene, gentle, and nurturing.  Yin is needed to balance Yang.  Yin meridians indirectly connect to the ear through their corresponding Yang meridian.  Yin is the parasympathetic nervous system.