Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art that involves the insertion of very fine needles into the body. There is no drug injected with the needle, the insertion of the needle alone will influence how the body functions. Acupuncture is an effective method to encourage healing and relieve pain naturally.
The theories and practice of acupuncture are described in two recorded volumes of work referred to as the Yellow Emperor’s Classics. These volumes date back between 4000 to 5000 years ago.
The first volume describes the causes, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of disease.
The second describes acupuncture including the meridians, needles and the location and functions of acupuncture points.
As modern science attempts to become more ‘holistic’ in nature it borrows from the laws of nature and life as described long ago by the Yellow Emperor.
Whenever you read about acupuncture, the word ‘qi’ or ‘chi’ (pronounced “chee”) will appear repeatedly. Qi literally means ‘vital energy’.
You will also come across the word ‘meridian’ quite often. ‘Meridians’ are channels that provide pathways for ‘Qi’ or ‘vital energy’ to flow throughout the body.
Acupuncture needles are very fine
Each meridian has several acupuncture points located along its pathway through the body.
Microscopically, an acupuncture point is represented by a slight depression or dent in the skin. These highly sensitive depressions range in size from 1 to 5 square millimeters.
The skin around an acupuncture point is associated with a lower level of electrical resistance. Below the skin, an acupuncture point has a bundle of nerve endings, blood vessels and lymph vessels. The insertion of an acupuncture needle into this bundle creates the acupuncture effect.