Acupuncture is a therapeutic practice that promotes health, relieves pain, and alleviates suffering. It treats the whole person, resulting in symptom relief and enhanced well-being. As one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world, acupuncture originated in China over 2,300 years ago. It began gaining recognition in the United States in 1971 when James Reston, a New York Times reporter, wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his abdominal pain after surgery. A Harvard University study estimated that Americans make over five million visits per year to acupuncture practitioners. Furthermore, research demonstrates that acupuncture provides benefits for pain relief, prevention, and the treatment of various health conditions.
How does Acupuncture work? Acupuncture helps the body use its innate ability to heal itself. Acupuncturists regulate and balance the flow of Qi ("chee"), the body's life force through channels on the body that have been identified through centuries of meticulous clinical observations by Chinese practitioners. Very thin filament needles are inserted at precise locations along these channels to improve the flow of qi and help alleviate symptoms. These needles are sterile and disposed after one use.
