History of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the fastest growing forms of health care in the United States. This explosion is due to the recognition by consumers and regulators of the safety, effectiveness and low cost of this form of health care.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) estimated in May 1993 that there were 9 to 12 million patient visits each year for acupuncture.  In a nation where we are plagued by increasing chronic and degenerative disease, and faced with the limitations of drug therapy and surgery, acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive therapy and natural medicine used to restore balance to the four levels of a person: body, emotions, mind and spirit.

Although acupuncture has a history that spans approximately 5,000 years and is used by 25% of the world’s population, it has only been in the last decade that its popularity has increased significantly in North America. One of the reasons for that increase is that people have discovered that acupuncture produces results.

What is Acupuncture?
Most people know that acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into the body but many don’t really understand how it works or the philosophy behind the treatment. Acupuncture is a major part of the system of Oriental medicine. It’s based on the same basic principle from which all of the Oriental healing arts spring – that an invisible energy system underlies the body, and that imbalance in that energy (Qi) leads to illness.

How It Works
Acupuncture first used stone needles (ouch!) and later employed iron, bronze and bamboo as technology advanced. Today’s needles are very fine, sterile, stainless steel needles which are quite comfortable, and generally inserted with the aid of plastic guide tubes which minimize the sensation of insertion. Nearly all American practitioners use disposable needles, to save time and expense, and to help patients be at ease. They are much thinner than the hypodermic needles we remember from the doctor’s office, and so are far more comfortable when inserted. Acupuncture is not painful, nor is it entirely painless. Once the needle is set, it usually is not even felt at all. Needles are left in for about 20 minutes, then removed.

The specific sites used, often called points, are doorways into the energy system. These energy portals lie on pathways called channels or meridians. Channels are unseen rivers that carry the life energy (Qi) which underlies all human function. Each channel corresponds to and affects a specific organ system, which includes a range of physical functions, as well as emotional, mental and spiritual aspects.