Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that has been used in China for several thousands of years. The procedure has its roots in ancient Chinese philosophy, the belief that man is one with the universe and that all life is permeated with the life giving energy of chi. Part of this belief is that all of our experiences have opposites, such as hot and cold, day and night. These opposites are referred to as Yin and Yang. They merge and complement one another through out life, creating a balance. When the forces are in balance a person is in good health. When the forces are not in balance, disease may occur. Acupuncture is a method used to restore the balance in life. In the 1960's a team of doctors from the West were invited by Mao Tse-tung to visit China and investigate the technique of acupuncture. Although it is often thought of as alternative medicine, it has been surprisingly successful in the treatment of many ailments where more conventional methods have not been successful.
Acupuncture is most often used to treat rheumatism, backache, and headaches. Doctors are still unable to explain the mystery of why and how it works, although there are several theories. Although acupuncture can be successful, when not practiced properly it can cause infection and nerve, vessel, or organ damage. It is important to carefully choose your acupuncturist. Inquire whether the acupuncturist has been formally trained and is experienced. Research Acupuncture
Abbreviations
Medicine
Research Acupuncture