Acupuncture: Restoring Balance to the Body
Energy healing has existed for thousands of years in various forms across cultures. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a deep understanding of the human energy system is central to promoting health and healing. This life force energy is known as Qi (pronounced "chee"), which flows throughout the body and is fundamental to all life processes.
Acupuncture is one of the key practices in TCM, used to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi through the body’s energy channels, known as meridians. These meridians are pathways that connect different organs and systems in the body, and acupuncture works by restoring harmony within them. Using sterile, ultra-fine needles, an acupuncturist inserts needles at specific points along these meridians to help nourish and balance the body’s Qi. Because meridians overlap with the nervous system, the stimulation of acupuncture points results in various physiological effects, depending on the technique of the needle insertion.
Acupuncture is holistic in its approach, as it seeks to address the root causes of disease. During a session, your acupuncturist will assess your symptoms, medical history, and observe physical signs such as your pulse and tongue appearance to make a Chinese diagnosis. Based on this diagnosis, they will select specific acupuncture points to restore balance. One of the key principles of TCM is Yin and Yang, representing the duality found in nature and the human body. When these forces are in balance, health is achieved. Any imbalance between Yin and Yang can manifest as symptoms or disease. The goal of acupuncture is to bring the body back to homeostasis, or balance.
Acupuncture also triggers a range of biochemical and neurological mechanisms in the body. It has been shown to promote the release of endorphins and anti-inflammatory cytokines, making it a powerful clinically proven drug-free alternative for conditions such as arthritis, back pain, depression, headaches, allergic rhinitis, and nausea and vomiting.
Alexis Chesney is a Diplomate of Acupuncture certified by the NCCAOM®.
To learn more and explore the scientific efficacy of acupuncture and its mechanisms of action, please click on the resources below:
