How Acupuncture Works: Qi, Meridians, and the Healthy Flow of Energy

Acupuncture is a highly effective system of medical care based on the laws of nature. To understand the effectiveness of acupuncture, it is helpful to first understand a few things about our body's core energy system. Qi (pronounced "chee") is the vital, life-giving energy found both in nature and in the body. Qi animates the body and protects it from illness, pain, and disease. A person's health is influenced by the quality, quantity and balance of Qi.

Qi moves through the body in precise channels or pathways called meridians which support all functions of the body, mind and spirit. There are 14 main meridians inside the body. Each of these is connected to specific organs and glands.

Meridian pathways are like rivers flowing inside the body. A river transports life-sustaining water and provides nourishment to the land, plants, and people as it flows on the earth. In a similar way, meridian pathways flow throughout the body, transporting life-sustaining Qi energy and providing nourishment to every cell, organ, gland, tissue and muscle in the body.

An obstruction to the flow of Qi is like a dam. When Qi becomes backed up in one part of the body, the flow becomes restricted in other parts. This blockage of the flow of Qi can be detrimental to a person's health, cutting off vital nourishment to the body, including the organs and glands. When the Qi is moving disharmoniously, imbalance begins to surface in the form of specific symptoms.

Physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, poor diet, accidents, or excessive activity are among the many things that can influence the quality, quantity and balance of Qi.

Normally, when a blockage or imbalance occurs, the body easily bounces back, returning to a state of health and well-being. However, when this disruption is prolonged or excessive, or if the body is in a weakened state, illness, pain, or disease can set in.

The Amazing Power of Small Needles and the Role of an Acupuncturist

The gentle insertion of hair-thin acupuncture needles at specific points along the meridian channels balances the energy of the body to help restore harmony and vitality. The safe and often painless insertion of needles can unlock the obstructions and rebalance the Qi where it has become unbalanced. Once this is done, Qi can freely circulate throughout the body, providing adequate nourishment to cells, organs, glands, tissues and muscles. This process can eliminate pain and restore balance and harmony, as well as invigorate the body's natural ability to heal itself - ultimately leading to optimal health and well-being.

The Ancient Tradition of Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbs are an important complement to acupuncture treatments. In some cases, herbs can be the central healing modality. Over the past 3,000-5,000 years, Chinese herbology has evolved into an art form of its own. Ancient herbal information was gathered, compiled, formulated, tested and handed down from generation to generation. Today, practitioners of Chinese medicine continue to prescribe herbal formulas because they are a powerful therapeutic method.

Chinese herbs are formulated as a "poly-pharmacy." Individual herbs are combined in order to enhance their actions and effects upon the body.

In order to create the most effective formula, the herbs are used in different quantities and for different purposes. This allows the herbalist to create a formula aimed at addressing individual needs. Chinese herbal formulas combined this way offer specific synergistic actions and effects upon body, mind and spirit, which can be a powerful and effective way to address symptoms and support the total person. This combination increases the benefits of a particular formula and minimizes any harmful side effects