Acupuncture is part of the ancient traditions of Chinese Medicine. By needle insertion at special points the body is stimulated to harmonise Qi (which is life force or energy flow) and move it to the parts of body and mind that have blockages. The body and the mind can heal itself, because it lets the energy flow freely again how it is meant to be.
Channels and acupuncture points
Our entire body contains of special energy channels where Qi and the other fundamental substances flow. Although we can not see this, they are definitely present in our body. The Qi flows to all our organs, orifices, skin, muscles – our entire body – with the necessary nutrients. Also through these channels everything that is no longer needed is removed as toxins from the body.
In these meridians are special points, called acupuncture points. Chinese doctors have established centuries ago that by inserting needles at these (acupuncture) points they could activate particular responses in the body. For example, there are acupuncture points that can stop diarrhea or even allow a baby to be freed from a breech position during childbirth.
Acupuncture and needles
In acupuncture we use needles, but do not worry, they are very thin and all acupuncture needles are sterile packaged and used only once for your safety.
The most commonly used needles are 0.16 to 0.25 mm thin. For comparison: a hypodermic needle to take your blood is 0.5 to 1.2 mm thick, so an acupuncture needle is a lot thinner. You can feel a small prick when the needle is inserted and then you can possibly feel it streaming in that area, a warm tingling sensation, heaviness in that body part or nothing at all.