What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of acupuncture?
If you are like most people, you probably associate acupuncture with pain relief. Acupuncture is highly effective in treating pain, but that is only the beginning of what this medicine is capable of. It is also commonly used for the following conditions:
- Allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Gynecological problems like infertility and PMS
- Depression, anxiety, insomnia and stress
- And many more physical, emotional and neurological issues
How can one form of medicine treat all of these very different issues? In Chinese medicine, all illness and injuries stem from one cause: a dysfunction of qi (pronounced "chee"). This qi is the vital force that courses throughout our bodies, nourishing us and keeping our bodies running smoothly. In a perfect state, the qi is ample but not overabundant, flowing smoothly through our bodies in the direction in which it was meant to flow. Of course, it is impossible to exist in an absolutely "perfect" state. Even the healthiest of us have some level of imbalance, and acupuncturists are trained to adjust these imbalances, boosting health and vitality.
