Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are part of a medical tradition based on the systematic review of a patient’s signs and symptoms and his or her subsequent response to treatment. This tradition has evolved and been refined on innumerable patients over the last three thousand years. Although its roots are ancient, its practice today is very modern.

 

Acupuncture involves inserting very thin, solid, hair like needles at specific points on the body. In Chinese these points are called “neural nodes” (jie) and the stimulation of these nodes affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It triggers the release of the body’s internal chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins, which have pain-relieving properties.

 

Among a host of factors, acupuncture affects sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the blood, the functioning of the gastrointestinal system and the activity of the endocrine system. Acupuncture works with the body, harmonizing and balancing energy. It improves circulation and allows the body to heal itself more quickly and more completely.

 

Acupuncture is an extremely safe treatment option with virtually no side effects when administered by an experienced practitioner. If your only options are more medications, injections or surgery, this is a very safe and conservative therapy to try first.