Acupuncture is widely believed to have originated in China around 100BC, making it one of the oldest (along with moxibustion) practices in Traditional Chinese Medicine. From China, acupuncture first spread to Korea around 514AD and then to Vietnam in the 8th century. During the second half of the 17th century, acupuncture spread from Asia into Europe and by the 19th century, the practice was common throughout the world.

 

Today, acupuncture is widely practiced throughout Asia, Europe, North America & Australia and is gaining greater acceptance almost daily as studies proving it’s efficacy continue to be published. In fact, the NIH (National Institute of Health) in the U.S. publicly supports the use of acupuncture for certain conditions and prestigious academic medical centers including Harvard, Stanford, John Hopkins and UCLA all have acupuncture treatment programs. In the UK over 50% of practicing MD’s prescribe acupuncture to their patients!

 

In practice, there are over 400 individual acupoints all over the surface of your body. Each of these external points correlates to an internal organ or system. By stimulating specific points with either very fine needles (acupuncture) or pressure (acupressure) we can elicit a beneficial response in the organ or system that corresponds to the point being stimulated.
 

The human body is made up of energy pathways called meridians. Within these meridians qi, blood, yin and yang flow in harmony. If there is any stagnation or imbalance in the regular flow, pain or “dis-ease” can occur. Imbalances show directly on the tongue and in the feel of the pulse, so acupuncturists use these as diagnostic methods to get to the root of dis-ease. From there an acupuncturist can make an effective treatment plan. 
Sterile, single-use needles are inserted in acupoints along meridians in the body. Each point is specifically chosen for their unique function, depending on the underlying condition. These points are used to tonify, reduce, and move stagnation so that balance can be restored.

Acupuncture is virtually painless. During a session you may feel tingling and heaviness where the needles are inserted- this is completely normal and is actually the desired affect. It is common to feel quite relaxed, some even fall asleep!