Acupuncture
The Chinese practice of Acupuncture works directly on the nervous system to restore the distribution of Qi (Chi) or energy through the 12 meridians, or energy pathways, that run throughout the body. In Western terms this corresponds to the restoration of homeostasis or dynamic balance.
Each meridian relates to specific organs in the body. One may have too much or 
too little Qi. Acupuncturists insert fine needles at selected points throughout the body to restore balance and unblock the flow of Qi to bring about optimal health and allow the body to heal itself.
In addition to injuries and chronic pain, acupuncture is used successfully for many medical conditions including asthma and allergies, dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularities, hormonal infertility, immune and inflammatory disorders, pre- and post-natal care, and sleep disorders.
In addition, acupuncture can help your body to recover more quickly between workout sessions and improve your performance while giving you a sense of overall well-being.
Acupuncture is part of a system of medicine that originated in China more than 3,000 years ago. It is based on a paradigm unlike that used in Western medicine.
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) refer to the foundational concept of "Qi" (pronounced chee), which can be loosely translated to mean energy and its effects on physiological function and health. Qi represents a positive, animating life force.
The underlying goal of traditional Chinese medical treatment is the creation or maintenance of harmony - within the individual, and between the individual and the environment.
Health is reflected as harmony which, in turn, is influenced by Qi. For example, if the process of attacking a disease has the undesired effect of dissipating a person's Qi, that loss will interfere with recovery toward optimal health. In this sense, acupuncture, as a tool of TCM, not only helps to control symptoms, but also works to restore the body's strength and resilience by building Qi.
Acupuncture was one of the first complementary therapies to receive significant acceptance by the mainstream allopathic medical community. In 1979, the World Health Organization issued a list of over 40 clinical conditions for which Acupuncture had some benefit.
For additional references see "Clinical Uses of Acupuncture" by Keith Berndtson, MD, Kirk Moulton, CA, and Alan Uretz, CA, in Chicago Medicine, September 7, 1997.
For an excellent summary of the medical assessment of acupuncture see the National Institutes of Health web site.
Download Acupuncture Intake Form
Save time on your first visit by downloading our office forms now and completing them before you arrive!
