Acupuncture is a healing art that may have originated in ancient China. Documents describing the practice date back to the first century BCE, while some believe archaeological evidence points to a much earlier origin: possibly as early as 8,000 years ago. The medical theory of acupuncture centers on the concept of qi energy (pronounced "chee"). Qi is said to flow through the body's energy pathways, known as meridians. Meridians match certain organs or groups of organs. Unlike Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine holds that disease is caused by an imbalance of this energy's flow through the meridians. In an attempt to unblock or otherwise redirect the flow of energy, acupuncturists shallowly insert very thin needles into specific points in the skin tissue. These points are called acupoints.
Often acupuncture work is accompanied by other forms of therapy in an attempt to ease a wide variety of ailments. When an alternative therapy is used alongside modern medical treatments to relieve symptoms, it is said to be a form of complementary medicine. Some studies suggest the therapy helps patients heal with fewer drugs, while others find that it seems to improve medical outcomes when used alongside standard medicine. Research has shown that acupuncture may help relieve:
- low back pain
- neck pain
- osteoarthritis
- knee pain
- headache and migraine
- anxiety and stress
- high and low blood pressure
- chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- some gastric conditions, including peptic ulcer
- painful periods
- allergic rhinitis
- facial pain
- morning sickness
- rheumatoid arthritis
- sprains
- tennis elbow
- sciatica
- dental pain
- fibromyalgia
- neuralgia
- post-operative convalescence
- substance, tobacco and alcohol dependence
- spine pain
- stiff neck
- And other conditions
For more information about acupuncture or making an appointment, contact Dr. Carrie Tomlinson at 630-281-0179.