About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world, having been used in China for thousands of years. Chinese medical theory views all illness and disease as an imbalance in the normal flow of the body's natural energy (qi, pronounced "chee"). This imbalance may occur for myriad reasons - the most common of which being improper diet, physical trauma, and/or genetic factors. The basic foundation of Chinese medicine is that qi flows through the body in a system of channels or meridians, and that each meridian corresponds to an internal organ system. By stimulating a combination of acupuncture points (which are located along the path of these meridians), the free flow of qi is reestablished and a state of harmonious balance may be achieved.

Physically, stimulation of these points with needles results in the release of various chemicals in the skin and muscle tissue (including one called adenosine, the body's natural painkiller) and neurotransmitters (including endorphins, which help regulate hormone levels). Ultimately, effects of acupuncture on the body include improved sleep patterns, decreased inflammation (swelling), increased blood circulation, and improved immune system function.

Conditions Treated With Acupuncture The following is a list of conditions which the World Health Organization determined may respond to acupuncture.
 
Upper Respiratory Tract     
 •   Acute sinusitis    
 •   Acute rhinitis    
 •   Common Cold    
 •   Acute tonsillitis
 
Respiratory System     
 •   Acute bronchitis
 •   Bronchial asthma (most effective in children and in patients without complicating diseases)  
 
Disorders of the Eye     
 •   Acute conjunctivitis    
 •   Central retinitis    
 •   Myopia (in children)    
 •   Cataract (without complications)  
 
Disorders of the Mouth     
 •   Toothache, post-extraction pain    
 •   Gingivitis
 •   Acute and chronic pharyngitis

Gastro-intestinal Disorders     
 •   Spasms of esophagus and cardia    
 •   Hiccough    
 •   Gastroptosis    
 •   Acute and chronic gastritis    
 •   Gastric hyperacidity    
 •   Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)    
 •   Acute duodenal ulcer (without complications)    
 •   Acute and chronic colitis    
 •   Acute bacillary dysentery    
 •   Constipation    
 •   Diarrhea    
 •   Paralytic ileus  
 
Neurological and Musculo-skeletal Disorders     
 •   Headache and migraine    
 •   Trigeminal neuralgia    
 •   Facial palsy (early stage, i.e., within three to six months)    
 •   Pareses following a stroke    
 •   Peripheral neuropathies    
 •   Sequelae of poliomyelitis (early stage, i.e., within six months)    
 •   Meniere's disease    
 •   Neurogenic bladder dysfunction    
 •   Nocturnal enuresis    
 •   Intercostal neuralgia    
 •   Cervicobrachial syndrome    
 •   "Frozen shoulder," "tennis elbow"    
 •   Sciatica    
 •   Low back pain    
 •   Osteoarthritis
 
 
The most common conditions treated effectively by Acupuncture include:
 
Chronic Pain    
 •   Neck and back pain    
 •   Migraine headaches
 
Acute Injury-related Pain    
 •   Sprains    
 •   Strains
 
Gastrointestinal Problems    
 •   Indigestion    
 •   Ulcers    
 •   Constipation    
 •   Diarrhea
 
Cardiovascular Conditions    
 •   High and low blood pressure
 
Genitourinary Problems    
 •   Menstrual irregularity    
 •   Infertility    
 •   Impotence
 
Muscle and Nerve Conditions    
 •   Paralysis    
 •   Deafness
 
Addictive Behaviors    
 •   Substance abuse    
 •   Overeating    
 •   Drug dependence    
 •   Smoking
 
Surgery    
 •   Anesthesia

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