Community Chiropractic Center


Acupuncture is a technique developed in China thousands of years ago. Ancient Chinese theory of acupuncture explains that our bodies are made up of twelve main energy pathways, channels, or meridians, through which vital energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”), flows.

Qi is a type of energy responsible for coordinating and controlling the fundamental activities of the body. These are known as yin and yang.

Acupuncture is said to affect the distribution of yin and yang within our bodies. For example, when we experience problems like headaches or menstrual irregularities, the Chinese would say that this is due to an imbalance of energy within certain pathways of our bodies. It may be too much energy or not enough energy within a channel. Acupuncture would be used to restore the normal energy flow, thus correcting the problem. When a balance is achieved, the qi flows freely within the meridians and we experience both physical and emotional health.

Since acupuncture is used to bring the body back into it’s own natural balance, its uses are numerous. Most often it is known for its undeniable ability to relieve pain. However, it is also used to normalize physiological functions in the treatment of certain diseases or dysfunctions of the body.

In many countries it is also used as a means of maintaining and improving one’s general health.

The use of acupuncture as a medical technique has been practiced in China for 4000-5000 years. To this day it continues to be a mainstay of treatment in that country. In fact, almost one third of the world’s population uses acupuncture as a main method of treatment.

Despite its long-standing use in China and eastern countries, acceptance of acupuncture in Western countries has been slow. However, popularity increased after the World Health Organization recognized it as an acceptable medical practice in 1975.

When acupuncture is used, qi is obtained and then manipulated. When the desired acupuncture point is located, a fine needle is inserted into the acupuncture point. Contact with the needle will affect nerve endings creating a sensation that is unique to an acupuncture treatment. Sometimes the sensation may be felt throughout the entire length of the channel. The sensation is a kind of electrical signal. Many people tend to anticipate the feeling of the arrival of qi since it precipitates a release of tension much like the feeling after a work out or after meditating.

While traditional Chinese philosophers describe acupuncture benefits in terms of balancing qi energy, scientific research has shown that insertion of acupuncture needles at specific points stimulates the body to produce more of its own natural painkilling substances, namely endorphins and enkephalins.

Further research has demonstrated that the stimulation of specific points also influences nerve pathways and can cause a release of various hormones and chemicals within our bodies. Thus, acupuncture stimulates the body to heal itself.

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