Acupuncture is a complete medical protocol focused on correcting imbalances of energy in the body. From its inception in China more than 3,000 years ago, acupuncture has been used traditionally to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as well as to improve general health.  In Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) theory, acupuncture works by restoring balance to the meridian channel system; draining stagnation and blockage in areas where too much Qi is accumulated, and boosting and tonifying areas of insufficient flow. The goal is to have a smooth flow of qi and good reservoirs of blood, yin, and essence.  Acupuncture is the insertion of “thread-like” needles along energy pathways in the body. Treatments are relaxing, effective, and painless thanks to modern technology. 

Research demonstrated that the effects of Acupuncture needling include influencing the activity of adenosine, an amino acid which becomes active in the skin after an injury to ease pain. This may explain in part why pain relief is often experienced as one of the benefits of Acupuncture. In fact, much research in the West has focused on this pain-relieving effect, rather than Acupuncture’s traditional role of balancing energy to address a wide range of disorders, and the more subtle mechanisms that may be responsible for its overall benefits to health.

There are many myths and misconceptions about Acupuncture, especially surrounding what it actually is and how it can help you.

Contrary to popular Western belief, Acupuncture is not just a system for inserting very fine needles into specific body locations to alleviate pain. So, what is Acupuncture, then? Acupuncture is a complete medical protocol focused on correcting imbalances of energy in the body. From its inception in China more than 2,500 years ago, acupuncture has been used traditionally to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as well as to improve general health.

Acupuncture is a simple, safe and effective health care technique that helps promote the body’s ability to heal itself.

Acupuncture was popularized in the States during the early 70’s after President Nixon opened relations with China. At the time, a New York Times reporter, James Reston, had an appendectomy in a Chinese hospital using acupuncture as a means to decrease his post-surgical pain. However it has been used in Europe since the 1800s, brought to France from Vietnam.