Over the years I have been asked many questions about acupuncture, such as; how does acupuncture work? Are you putting needles into nerves? Do I have to believe in it? Well, how does acupuncture work? I honestly don’t think anyone truly understands…
 
Let’s begin somewhere near the beginning, but please understand that this information is a drop of dew on top of an ocean. Most of the acupuncture points are located along channels, or meridians, that are named after (and functionally relate to) internal organs.  The acupuncture points then have an action that influences that organ AND how it relates to the other organs. Incredibly, the Chinese people figured out the general functions of the internal organs thousands of years before autopsy or modern technology. These functions actually match what we know about the organs today. Chinese medicine itself is rooted in how the system works together, (rather than singling out one part (“the gallbladder in room 205”) and also takes into consideration an individual’s health, history, eating habits, and the climate and conditions in which they live.
 
Acupuncture encourages the proper flow of blood and qi (there are many types of qi, pronounced “chee”). In a nutshell, qi involves the energy required in any transformative process. You could think of an acupuncturist as an electrician… some of the wires are crossed and possibly causing sparks and these over here are not connected at all.  Essentially, it is our job to make sure that each person is working at full power and with proper illumination. What we do know is that acupuncture does a great job of regulating the system. All of the systems in the body can become disrupted or ‘get tired’ of working properly after enduring anything from a mild stressor to a traumatic event such as a car accident or the loss of a loved one.
 
Two of the most important pieces of information that I’d like everyone to know is that the needles are inserted into muscle, or superficially into the skin (not into nerves!). The sensation people often feel after the needle is placed is a dull, heavy or achy feeling. And it even works for animals! You cannot convince a horse that acupuncture works, it just works. The wonderful thing about acupuncture is that it is a time tested, effective and non-invasive method of treating health concerns, and without harmful side effects!
 
For more information, please email me at daisylear@gmail.com or call me at 303.587.3557