Acupuncture
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner's hands or with electrical stimulation.
Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. By applying acupuncture to certain points, it is thought to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health.
What Does Acupuncture Do?
You may be interested in acupuncture for a variety of reasons. For example, I sought treatment for my chronic headaches and sinus pressure.
There are numerous conditions and symptoms that acupuncture has been found to help with. Here are just a few:
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allergies
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anxiety and depression
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osteoarthritis
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chronic pain, often in the neck, back, knees, and head
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hypertension
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insomnia
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menstrual cramps and PMS
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migraines
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morning sickness
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multiple sclerosis
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sprains
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strokes
What Is Electroacupuncture?
Like traditional acupuncture, electroacupuncture uses needles placed in the same spots. Then, a small electrode is attached to the needles. A small amount of electricity runs through the electrode and gives a slight vibration or soft hum during treatment. The electrode gives off the effect of your acupuncturist activating the acupuncturepoint with their hands. This ensures you get the right amount of stimulation during your whole treatment. The treatments are also shorter because the electrodes can activate your acupuncture points more quickly. A benefit of using electroacupuncture is that it can cover larger areas of your body than traditional acupuncture. This ability makes this type of acupuncture more accurate than others.
