Acupuncture
According to Oriental Medical theory, the vital force that animates life, or Qi (pronounced "chee") runs throughout the human body along networks called meridians, which are similar to blood vessels in that they have pathways, but dissimilar in that they do not have bio-medically defined structures. When blockage occurs along these meridians (induced by physical trauma, physical or emotional stress, unsustainable lifestyles, or chronic illness) disease emerges. Optimal health, then, is the dynamic interplay between all parts of the whole, where each part contributes the necessary amount of energy to sustain the whole, and is able, in turn, to receive nourishment. If blocks impede this natural give-and-take, disharmony prevails.Practiced for over 3,000 years in China, Acupuncture is a modality where fine, solid needles are inserted into specific points along the meridians to restore proper flow of energy through the human body. Medical texts dating back to the 2nd century BCE specify how this energy moves through the body, and the practice of acupuncture has only been more and more refined over millennia, while holding true to the theory’s original wisdom. Millions of Americans now seek acupuncture, and are fortunate to have a variety of options in their treatment.