| What Is Acupuncture? | | | | No medication involved |
| When you're learning about something new, it's easy | | | | There is usually no medicine on the needles, for the |
| to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of | | | | needle itself acts on the Qi energy to make the |
| relevant information available. This informative article | | | | change in the flow. The practitioner may use a |
| should help you focus on the central points. | | | | particular angle to insert a needle, or may manipulate |
| Accupunture originated in China | | | | the needle a little (such as a small rotation) to get |
| Acupuncture was developed in China many centuries | | | | the best results for a particular client. |
| ago. The Chinese call acupuncture Zhue Jiao, which | | | | If you think like the Chinese, you may want to visit |
| means "needle heat". The needle regulates an inner | | | | your acupuncture clinic regularly to maintain an optimal |
| force called "Qi", which is responsible for the health of | | | | flow of Qi, and to maintain really good health. |
| the body. The regulation of Qi using acupuncture can | | | | A particular health or emotional problem may need |
| restore physical health, give a release from stress, or | | | | only one or two visits, or might require a series of up |
| improve physical or mental health in other ways. | | | | to eight visits or more, depending on the problem. |
| A very healthy person should have Qi energy flowing | | | | During a visit, the acupuncturist may insert several |
| freely in several distinct pathways, and these | | | | needles, and not necessarily at the same points from |
| pathways are like the roads for maintenance crews. | | | | visit to visit. As the condition improves, a different |
| Freely flowing energy distributes everything the cells | | | | set of locations might be chosen to affect a change |
| need, and take away what waste is produced. This | | | | in Qi flow to move even more quickly to good health. |
| produces not only physical, but also mental, health. | | | | Sometimes the needles are inserted just underneath |
| If Qi is stopped at some point, there will be some | | | | the layer of the skin, while at other times some of |
| symptoms, often a physical illness. The acupuncturist | | | | the needles may be inserted up to a depth of three |
| will determine where the needles should be placed in | | | | inches. Insertion of the needles usually does not hurt |
| order to return the flow to normal, or as close to | | | | at all. Some clients remark on an occasional pinching |
| normal as is possible. This might happen in one | | | | sensation when a needle is inserted. |
| treatment, or a series of treatments. | | | | Once the needle is in place it can easily be forgotten. |
| Many Chinese get acupuncture treatments regularly in | | | | Sometimes there is a pleasant relaxing or warm |
| order to stay healthy, to keep their Qi flowing at a | | | | sensation around the insertion point, which is an |
| nearly ideal level. In several places in China, a | | | | indication that the Qi flow is being redirected in the |
| practitioner of acupuncture gets paid only as long as | | | | right manner. |
| their clients remain healthy, not when they get sick. | | | | Acupuncture is a very good way to correct a |
| Accupuncture methods | | | | number of illnesses, and one of the best ways to |
| Nearly all acupuncture techniques use needles, though | | | | maintain health on a regular basis. |
| there are varieties that also use electric stimulation, | | | | This introduction gave a brief overview to encourage |
| burning, and herbs. The needles used are solid | | | | you to consider acupuncture as a health option. More |
| needles, not hollow tube needles like Western | | | | and more insurance companies are giving coverage |
| doctors use. In America, certified practitioners of | | | | for visits to an acupuncture clinic, and this should be |
| acupuncture use pre-sterilized disposable needles. | | | | explored. |
| You can see that there's practical value in learning | | | | Sometimes it's tough to sort out all the details related |
| more about "acupuncture". Can you think of ways to | | | | to this subject, but I'm positive you'll have no trouble |
| apply what's been covered so far? | | | | making sense of the information presented above. |