Acupuncture

Although Acupuncture may be relatively new to some, documentation shows it has been in use for over 5,000 years.

The technique involves inserting tiny metal needles through the skin into high energy points that are found on the meridians, energy-Chi-paths, throughout the body. There are over 2,000 acupuncture points that correspond with every inch of the internal and external body. These points, or holes, first called xue by the Chinese, provide gateways to influence, redirect, increase, or decrease the body’s vital substance, chi (qi), thus correcting many of the imbalances.

There are 12 main meridians, six are yin and six are yang with numerous minor ones which form a network of energy channels throughout the body.

Each meridian is related to, and named after, an organ or function. The main ones are the lung, kidney, gallbladder, spleen, heart, small intestine, large intestine, stomach, urinary bladder, san jiao (three heater) and pericardium (heart protector/ or circulation sex meridian).

There are 8 extraordinary channels in acupuncture that are considered to be reservoirs supplying chi and blood to the twelve regular channels. These are believed to have a strong connection to the kidney.

When Chi flows freely through the meridians, the body is balanced and healthy. If the Chi becomes blocked, imbalanced, weakened, or stagnant, this will result in physical, emotional and/or mental ill health – dis-ease. An imbalance in the body can be a result from inappropriate emotional response such as: excess anger, over-excitement, self pity, deep grief and fear. Environmental factors such as cold, damp/humidity, wind, dryness, and heat can also cause imbalance along with wrong diet (for your body type), too much sex, overwork and too much exercise.

To restore the balance of Chi, the acupuncturist stimulates acupuncture points along the meridians that correspond with the specific imbalance. If you have stagnant Chi, points will be chosen to stimulate the Chi. If Chi is too cold, points to warm the Chi will be stimulated. In this way, acupuncture can effectively rebalance Chi and restore health or prevent the development of dis-ease. The points chosen for stimulation may not be at the site of the symptoms.