Acupuncture is an ancient form of medicine that’s been used successfully for over 8000 years. It is based upon the Taoist tradition of observing the flow of energy within and without, where the body is viewed as a network of interrelated energy channels or “meridians.” Illness and pain are the result of blocked or imbalanced energy currents. Acupuncture uses hair-thin needles painlessly inserted into specific points on the body to stimulate or unblock the flow of energy and restore one’s natural balance and health. In the East this energy is called “qi” (pronounced “chee) and is linked to our relation to nature and seasonal changes. Western science believes acupuncture likely works by stimulating the central nervous system to release chemicals that dull pain, boost the immune system and regulate various body functions. However one wishes to view it, thousands of years of use and modern day scientific studies have proven the effectiveness of acupuncture to treat a wide variety of health problems including pain of all origins, disorders of the neurological, muscular, respiratory, and gastro-intestinal systems. It’s also used to treat osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, chemotherapy-induced nausea, bladder control, carpel tunnel, anxiety, insomnia, allergies, asthma, high blood, constipation, weight loss, smoking cessation, and more. Acupuncture can treat so many different maladies because it recognizes that all parts of the body create an integrated, “whole” being. And unlike conventional pharmaceuticals, there are only beneficial side effects to acupuncture such as sleeping better, having more energy, breathing deeper and many other bonuses. Like other Integrative Medical Practices, acupuncture believes the body naturally wants to remain healthy and balanced. Like a ship on the water that rolls with daily sea changes and challenges while remaining upright, the body’s innate design urges it to return to a fully functional, balanced position. Acupuncture gently assists the body to heal itself naturally.
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