• Acupuncture consists of the insertion of very thin, hair-like needles into the body at specific points along distinct channels of energy (called meridians) that cover the body somewhat like the nerves & blood vessels.
• The first record of acupuncture is found in the 4,700 year old Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine), which is said to be the oldest medical textbook in the world.
• There are over 2,000 acupuncture points located all over the body, shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems.
• These points were mapped to 14 major meridian or Channel lines, one meridian for each of the 12 inner organs, one meridian along the spine, and another along the mid-line of the abdomen & chest.
• In addition to the 14 main Meridians/Channels, there are also 8 secondary meridians/channels through which the energy of the body, or Qi, moves and flows. However, these 8 “extra meridians” do not have acupuncture points of their own, but rather, share acupuncture points from the 14 main meridians.
• Specifically, the meridians of the body conduct Qi flow between the surface of the body and internal organs.
• The main meridians are classified into two opposing categories: Yin meridians and Yang meridians.
  • Yin meridians link to the “Yin organs” of the body and Yang meridians link to the “Yang organs” of the body.
  • Yin and Yang meridians thus, form a complex network of pathways, guiding and regulating the proper flow of Qi through the whole body.
• Traditional Asian Acupuncture is based on Ancient Chinese theories regarding the flow of Qi through these distinct channels/meridians that cover the body. According to this theory, acupuncture adjusts the flow of Qi in the body, leading it to areas where it is insufficient and draining it from areas where it is stuck and/or superabundant. In this way, acupuncture restores the harmonious balance of the body and its parts.
• In Chinese, there is a saying, “if there is pain, there is no free flow; if there is free flow, there is no pain”. Acupuncture, therefore, promotes and reestablishes the free flow of Qi, as well as, influencing the qi to move in its proper directions.
• Similar to acupuncture, are moxa and cupping therapies, which affect the acupuncture points using heat and pressure (See Adjunct Therapies Page). These therapies also adjust & reestablish the free flow of qi within the body, thus, contributing to and restoring the harmonious balance within the body.

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