Photo credit to timesofmalta.com
So what is this thing called “Acupuncture” that we talk about all the time? Is it some kind of bizarre practice or an actual scientific reality? Considering my 4 years of school, my internship in China, my National exam, and my long difficult board certification exam invented by the State of California, it does seem to be real. The exam, while very difficult allows me to practice in California, and my National exam lets me practice in nearly all States, my choice is right here in good ole So Cal. One reason being people here are a bit more progressive and willing to embrace different modalities and ideas than in many other more rural environments.
While not widely used in many communities in the US, Acupuncture, and “Traditional Chinese Medicine” ( TCM) has been around a long time, as a matter of fact, much longer than some of our more accepted modern medicine. Acupuncture treatment is more than 5,000 years old and contrary to popular belief, was not exclusively a Chinese practice. Many people including Eskimos, Arabs, and South African Bantu tribesmen, have used different methods of acupuncture throughout history. The ancient Chinese medical text “Huangdi Neijing” was written around 200 B.C. and included information about acupuncture, which is now used worldwide, with more than 8,000 practitioners in the United States alone.
Acupuncture is based on the belief that our life energy, or Qi, must flow uninterrupted through our body. Qi, blood and body fluids are the fundamental substances that make up the body and regulate our functions. The health and circulation of blood and body fluids depend upon the proper flow of Qi. Qi runs through your body along the channels called “meridians”. There are 14 meridians in the body and each one is connected to a specific organ or gland. If any of these meridians become obstructed, your Qi becomes blocked, resulting in pain or illness. Acupuncture stimulates specific points along the meridians, which stimulates the body to heal itself.
Modern Western theory of why acupuncture works is that the insertion of needles into particular points stimulates our central nervous system to release biochemicals, such as hormones and neurotransmitters. These biochemicals then help ease pain by the release of serotonins, regulate our body functions, and strengthen our immune system. And as an interesting aside, ever see the late and wonderful friend to the animal kingdom, Steve Irwin, treat an injured elephant? Steve Irwin and the “New Breed of Vets” use elephant size acupuncture needles to stimulate acupuncture and pressure points, which help heal the 2 ton elephant’s injured and sore muscles. Didn’t think those points were important? Ask that elephant what he thinks. Read “Elephant Protocols, Manuals, and Proceedings” for reference.
While acupuncture is not an all inclusive answer to every ailment, it is a very effective treatment for many of our modern day ailments. If you would like more information or a free consultation please feel free to contact me.
