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Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles at various acupoints to promote the flow of energy within the body. It is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with a history that spans thousands of years. Acupuncture is a safe and effective complementary therapy for over 300 conditions with varying degrees of effectiveness. It is especially effective in relieving pain.
One goal of acupuncture is to promote a balance of yin and yang. Many things in nature can be classified as either yin or yang. Yin is related to the qualities of coldness, darkness, inwardness, and tranquility. Yang is related to qualities of hotness, brightness, outwardness, and excitement. When the balance between yin and yang is lost, the body will be vulerable to illness. Acupuncture stimulates acupoints on the body to regulate yin and yang.
Another goal of acupuncture is to remove obstruction in the meridians, thus promoting the flow of energy in the body. Meridians are channels in the human body in which the energy flows. When meridians are blocked, the body will be prone to disease. In the human body, most acupoints are found on the twelve main meridians and two of the "eight extraordinary pathways". Each of the twelve meridians corresponds to one of the twelve Zang Fu. Zang Fu refers to twelve "systems of function" named after the anatomical organs. The six Zang organs are the Lung, Pericardium, Heart, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney. The six Fu organs are the Large intestine, San Jiao, Small intestine, Stomach, Gallbladder, and Urinary Bladder.
- The three yin channels of the hand (Lung, Pericardium, and Heart) begin on the chest and travel along the inner surface (mostly the anterior portion) of the arm to the hand.
- The three yang channels of the hand (Large intestine, San Jiao, and Small intestine) begin on the hand and travel along the outer surface (mostly the posterior portion) of the arm to the head.
- The three yin channels of the foot (Spleen, Liver, and Kidney) begin on the foot and travel along the inner surface (mostly posterior and medial portion) of the leg to the chest or flank.
- The three yang channels of the foot (Stomach, Gallbladder, and Urinary Bladder) begin on the face, in the region of the eye, and travel down the body and along the outer surface (mostly the anterior and lateral portion) of the leg to the foot.
- Of the eight extraordinary pathways, only two pathways have acupuncture points: the Ren Mai and Du Mai.
By balancing yin and yang, and by removing obstructions in the meridians, acupuncture restores the body into a state of health and well-being.
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