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What Is Acupuncture?

Are you curious about acupuncture? Are you considering getting an acupuncture treatment but first want to know what acupuncture is?

At Above & Beyond Acupuncture we do our best to educate the public about acupuncture and its many health benefits. So, what is acupuncture? Given the frequency with which we’re asked this question, we decided to take the time to provide some information.

Providing an easy explanation of acupuncture can be difficult. There are a variety of potential answers, some of which can be technical and difficult to follow. Our goal here is to provide an easy-to-understand definition of acupuncture that can be understood by anyone who is interested.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which also includes Chinese herbs and Asian bodywork. TCM is thousands of years old and has been evolving since its inception, providing health and well-being to millions of people who have used it to treat numerous ailments.

The basis of acupuncture is holistic; it views the body as a complete system which requires balance and harmony to function properly. When disease occurs, it can be due to a variety of causes—some of internal origin and others external. Acupuncture has the capability to provide support to the body so it can return to a state of health and well-being. This holistic stance is in direct opposition to Western medicine, which views the body as an assemblage of separate pieces—each treated by a specialized medical professional.

The practice of acupuncture entails the insertion and stimulation of acupuncture needles into acupuncture points which are located throughout the body. These acupuncture points are located on meridians, or channels, which are pathways through which energy (also known as Qi) flows. This energy travels all over the body, serving a variety of vital functions. The purpose of stimulating acupuncture points is to create a physiological change within the body, encouraging a specific result that can restore balance, resolve illness and promote well-being.

From a scientific view, acupuncture has been shown to engage the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the system responsible for directing the body to rest and relax. When the parasympathetic nervous system is active, the body has the potential to heal itself and return to a state of homeostasis.

Acupuncture is a procedure that should only be performed by licensed acupuncturists who have the proper training and education. In a previous blog post titled “The Importance Of Receiving Acupuncture By A Licensed Acupuncturist,” we discussed this subject in some detail. If you’ve not already done so, we strongly encourage you to read that post as it contains important and relevant information.

We hope this answer has been sufficient to provide a basic understanding of what acupuncture is. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Above & Beyond Acupuncture at your earliest convenience. We would be more than happy to answer any further questions.