Acupuncture Acupuncture is an ancient technique that promotes the body's natural healing process. It  involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into particular acupuncture points to attain a healing effect. The signs and symptoms the patient exhibits help us determine the points to be used. The needles we use are considerably smaller than typical needles used in western medical procedures such as drawing blood or giving an injection. Acupuncture needles are slender and fine; typically the diameter of a hair. People generally find acupuncture treatments to be relaxing and rejuvenating. All needles used at our facility are sterile and are only used once.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

The classical Chinese explanation for acupuncture is that channels of energy move throughout the body. These energy channels, also called meridians, are like rivers, and bring nourishment and vitality to body tissues. An obstruction in the meridians is like a dam that backs up nourishment and starves tissues down stream. When this happens, the channel or channels are said to have stagnation, which can be of several types.

Acupuncture points are needled to directly influence the meridians. The acupuncture needle unblocks any obstructions and reestablishes a regular flow through the meridians, allowing tissues to receive the nourishment they need to properly recover.

Acupuncture is known to increase the output of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers, and increase blood circulation. Injured tissues and organs can heal faster with the restoration of the fresh blood supply, and pain is relieved with the increased endorphins.

The World Health Organization created a list of condition that respond well to acupuncture treatment. Note that treatment is not limited to the disorders on the list; these conditions represent the conditions that have been researched extensively by the organization.The list is shown below.