Acupuncture is one component – the most familiar to most Westerners – of the 3000 year old system of Chinese Medicine. It involves placing very fine needles into particular, carefully-chosen points along designated meridians of the body in order to stimulate the central nervous systembrain activity via the body’s internal matrix of nerves and fascia. In TCM terms the goal is to re-harmonize the flow of Qi or life energy which circulates there. Although the concept of ‘Qi’ remains elusive, the practice itself is more and more recognized by modern medical science for its verifiable benefits.
Chinese medical theory holds that when one feels ill, stressed, in pain, or just ‘unbalanced’, it is because the Qi and related substances are not flowing properly. This can occur any time, and for many reasons including environmental stressors, diet, internal issues, emotional stress, injury, and – sometimes, just life… Correcting the flow improves specific symptoms, as well as overall feelings of well-being.
To date, Qi has not been able to be measured scientifically. We know it is there because of its effects, and we recognize the healing value of acupuncture by the increased sense of wellness that often accompanies its use.
Present-day medical science points to acupuncture’s proven effectiveness as being related to brain stimulation via the central nervous system: nerve pathways under the skin.