What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one branch of an ancient system of medicine that originated in china thousands of years ago. Chinese medicine and acupuncture address problems in the dynamic flow of Qi throughout the body.

"Qi" is roughly translated as life force or vital energy. When an individual is in good health, Qi flow is orderly and follows specific patterns throughout the body, connecting to and nourishing our organs, bones, muscles and other tissues. The orderly flow of Qi is affected by emotional factors (stress, grief, anger, etc.) and environmental factors ranging from diet to weather. When Qi flow becomes unstable, the individual becomes emotionally, mentally or physically symptomatic.

For example, if Qi becomes stagnant and remains in one area for too long, a person may experience aching in this region. When there is not enough Qi, people may feel tired or listless. They may have trouble with digestion or sleep. As with anything, the longer an imbalance is allowed to remain, the likelier it is that more complicated problems can arise. Therefore, in addition to having profound effects on chronic conditions, acupuncture is also very effective as a preventative medicine.

Acupuncturists affect the flow of Qi through the insertion of fine needles into specific points along the Qi pathway. We determine the point prescription based on the symptoms of an individual. Therefore, every treatment is a reflection of the patient's condition and is tailored to address his/her specific needs at that moment.