Acupuncture is one aspect of Chinese medicine used to encourage the body to promote healing, relieve pain and improve function. It dates from the 2nd century, BC. Energy channels, called meridians, traverse the body carrying the vital life force or "chi" to various organs and their spheres of influence throughout the body. The physician's role is to help restore or maintain the body's harmony and balance. The treatment involves insertion of tiny needles at acupuncture points along the channels to stimulate the energy circulation, remove blocks to energy flow, and restore energetic balance and organ function.

From a western point of view, acupuncture needling can simultaneously activate multiple systems in the body including the nervous system, the circulatory system, and the lymphatic and electromagnetic bio-information system. Medical Acupuncture is a specific term used to describe acupuncture performed by doctors trained and licensed in Western Medicine who have also had thorough training in acupuncture. Physicians trained in Medical Acupuncture can utilize acupuncture, traditional western medicine or a combination of both to treat illness or injury.

Although acupuncture is most commonly used in the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, it has much broader applications. Acupuncture influences the body's homeostatic self-regulating capacity to promote health and well being, prevent illness, as well as treat various medical conditions. Scientific research has found that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain, which reduce pain, improve energy and stimulate the body's natural healing abilities. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including digestive disorders (gastritis, irritable bowel, constipation and diarrhea), respiratory disorders (sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma), and neurological and muscular disorders (headaches, neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendinitis, low back pain, osteoarthritis).

Acupuncture can also be especially beneficial in the urinary, menstrual and reproductive problems we commonly see in a women's health practice. Many patients have reported significant improvement in menopausal symptoms following acupuncture. Frequently high quality Chinese herbal formulas are used to strengthen and support the body between treatments. The combination of nutrition, phytoestrogens, herbs and vitamins with acupuncture can be especially helpful to women who choose not to take hormone replacement therapy. All in all, acupuncture can be a powerful and valuable tool in our efforts to relieve symptoms, promote healing and maximize balance and well being.