Acupuncture

Alternative Treatment for Pain Relief

Acupuncture is a complementary medical technique that has proven to be effective for chronic back, neck, shoulder and joint pain, as well as osteoarthritis and headaches/migraines. As one of the oldest healing practices in the world, acupuncture dates back thousands of years as a form of traditional Chinese medicine. Practitioners stimulate specific points on the body—most often by inserting hair-thin needles into the skin. National Spine & Pain Centers combine modern technology of the West with ancient wisdom of the East to provide you with acupuncture treatments as a natural way to relieve pain and improve your health.

The Origins of Acupuncture

According to Chinese acupuncture theory, there are over 300 acupuncture points on the body that connect to 12 principal and 8 secondary pathways called meridians. These pathways are thought to conduct Qi (pronounced “chee”), a form of energy, throughout the entire body. When the flow of energy is balanced throughout these points, a person will be in good health. When Qi is disrupted, however, pain can occur. The goal of acupuncture is to correct imbalances of energy flow, thereby decreasing pain and restoring health. Acupuncture remained relatively unknown in the United States until the early 1970s, when a New York Times reporter traveling in China had to have his appendix removed. Treated post-operatively with acupuncture, he wrote a positive front-page article about the experience, sparking widespread interest in the subject.