| Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that comes | | | | barbaric to others. The important thing to be aware |
| from China and evolved out of Traditional Chinese | | | | of is that many people have been helped by this |
| Medicine (TCM). It is a method of natural healing that | | | | healing process. It is also worth knowing that the |
| has been used in the Chinese culture for the past | | | | needles are not inserted very far into the skin and |
| 2,000 years. It is becoming more and more of a | | | | therefore do not even pierce the skin. As a patient |
| mainstay in western cultures. While it is not meant to | | | | of acupuncture you may feel a slight sensation as |
| replace conventional medicine it works very well in | | | | the needles are inserted but you will not suffer any |
| conjunction with it. | | | | real pain. The goal behind this ancient form of healing |
| Acupuncture is all about restoring balance and | | | | is to lessen pain and not to create any more! |
| equilibrium in the body. The Chinese attribute | | | | This therapy is one of the most popular and well |
| imbalances in to a disruption of life energy or positive | | | | known of all of the natural methods of healing. It is |
| energy called chi. This energy moves throughout the | | | | one that many seek out when they feel the |
| body's invisible energy lines that are known as | | | | limitations that govern Western medicine. How |
| meridians. All of the 12 meridians correspond to | | | | exactly it works is not known. But as previously |
| various organs in the body. When chi is upset this | | | | mentioned, the Chinese has been using it for many |
| causes illnesses and diseases to occur. | | | | centuries with plenty of success. Many people swear |
| To restore the imbalance and bring the energy back | | | | by it. |
| into proper harmony and equilibrium it is | | | | Many theories have been proposed about how this |
| recommended that an individual seek out | | | | mysterious alternative therapy does what it is meant |
| acupuncture. A qualified and experienced professional | | | | to do- improve the health of the person who has it. |
| will take sterilized fine point needles and gently insert | | | | Some believe that the electrical currents found in the |
| them into the skin along the meridian lines, according | | | | body are positively affected by the needles that are |
| to the problems that the patient is having. The body | | | | used. Still others believe that it stimulates endorphins |
| contains 1,000 acupuncture points. | | | | that then work to counteract the discomfort that is |
| The whole idea behind acupuncture is to improve a | | | | being felt by the patient. Another idea is that |
| person's level of health. It is also to reduce pain and | | | | neurotransmitters are released from the brain during |
| discomfort. This natural health healing has shown | | | | the application of the treatment. This would then |
| particular potential in terms of helping those who | | | | cause nerve impulses to find their way to the brain |
| suffer from the chronic and debilitating pain that | | | | and facilitate a reduction in pain. |
| accompanies fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. It has | | | | Regardless of which proposed theory is correct the |
| also shown plenty of potential with regards to fertility | | | | important thing is that it alleviates pain from a variety |
| problems and for those who have cancer. | | | | of health conditions. Give this ancient healing art a try |
| Using needles to help improve a health condition may | | | | and see for yourself! |
| seem odd to some people and may even seem | | | | |