Acupuncture affects the meridians and chakras, or energy pathways and centers, of the body. When the chi or subtle energy that moves through these channels becomes blocked or unbalanced, people often experience pain, illness or emotional distress. Acupuncture uses very small needles (about 0.25 mm in diameter), to unblock and balance these energy channels to restore and improve a person's health.
Needles are gently inserted into various parts of the body, such as the head, ear, back, chest, abdomen, arms, hands, legs, or feet. Although there are hundreds of acupuncture points, a treatment usually requires only a few needles. Different points are selected, depending on the person’s symptoms and constitution. Once inserted, the needles generally remain in place for ten to thirty minutes. During an acupuncture treatment, people sometimes experience a sensation of warmth or slight tingling in the area around the needles. They may feel drowsy or even fall asleep. Afterward, people usually feel more relaxed, lighter, and with a greater sense of well-being. Most patients, even those with a strong aversion to needles, find acupuncture very comfortable and enjoyable.
Acupuncture is a very versatile modality that can be used to treat many different ailments. It also plays an important role in preventive medicine. For example, if someone frequently catches colds, acupuncture can help boost his immune system so he is less prone to getting sick. In addition, acupuncture can often affect symptoms that may not be addressable by Western medicine. Suppose a person always has cold feet, craves a particular type of food, or feels tired at a certain time of day. While these symptoms may not seem particularly significant from a Western medical viewpoint, from an acupuncture perspective they can provide useful clues as to what's going on with the person.
Sometimes people find it hard to believe that a treatment as subtle as acupuncture can have such far-reaching effects. However, slight shifts can make a big difference. When a person's chi becomes more balanced, his overall health, energy level, and outlook can all improve.