Acupuncture -is the insertion of very fine needles, (w/ or w/o electrical stimulus), on the body's surface in specific points, in order to influence physiological functioning of the body. Acupuncture points are specific points that have been scientifically proven to have higher conductivity and less resistance than non-acupuncture points. Acupuncture is sometimes combined with heat - from an infrared mineral light or from moxa burning. Acupuncture and Moxibustion are considered complimentary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together. Moxa is used for ailments such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, certain types of paralysis, and arthritic disorders. In addition, a non-invasive method of massage therapy, called Acupressure, can also be effective. Acupuncture and Moxa are practiced medical treatments that are over 4,000 years old.

The first record of Acupuncture - is in the 4,700 year old Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine). This is said to be the oldest medical textbook in the world. It is said to have been written down from even earlier theories by Shen Nung, the father of Chinese Medicine. Shen Nung documented theories about Circulation, Pulse, and the Heart over 4,000 years before European medicine had any concept about them.

The Basis of Acupuncture - The body has an energy force called Qi (pronounced Chee) aka Ki/Chi, running throughout it. Qi consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, emotional, mental and the physical aspects of life. A person's health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang . If the flow of Qi is deficient/insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may occur. When there is a proper balance of forces, the body has achieved a healthy circulation of the life force (qi). Qi travels throughout the body along Meridian channels. There are Fourteen Main Meridians running vertically up and down the surface of the body. Out of these, there are Twelve Organ Meridians in each half of the body (they are in pairs). There are also two unpaired midline Meridians: the Ren Channel (a.k.a. The Conception Vessel) and the Du Channel (The Governing Vessel).

Frequently Asked Questions:
What are Acupuncture points?  Meridians are channels - pathways. Akin to a metro or subway system. Acupuncture points are specific locations where the Meridians come to the surface of the skin, like subway stations. These points have been scientifically proven to have greater conductivity and less resistance than non-acupuncture points. The "needling" or stimulation at these points affects the flow along the channels. The connections between points ensures that there is an even circulation of Qi, a balance between Yin and Yang. Qi constantly flows up and down these pathways. When pathways become stagnated/obstructed (Yu), deficient (Xu), excessive (Shi), or just unbalanced, Yin and Yang are thrown out of balance = illness. Acupuncture is helps to restore the balance.

Traditionally, there are 365 acupoints on the body, most of which have a specific energetic function. Some are the meeting of meridian pathways while others are junctions with an internal pathway of the meridian. Some points tend to move qi towards the interior of the body while others bring energy to the surface. The choice of acupuncture points varies from patient to patient and from treatment to treatment and relies on very careful diagnoses of different kinds. Diagnosis entails the observation of the body through looking, touching, smelling and listening. Pulse taking and tongue analysis are two fundamental diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine.

What is Yin/Yang Theory?   One of the most important concepts of Chinese medicine is that of natural balance. From this idea of balance a rises the fundamental theory of yin and yang. Life takes place in the alternating rhythm of yin and yang. Qi is also prevalent throughout nature as well. Qi is comprised of two parts, Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are opposite forces, that when balanced, work together. In nature, an upset in the balance will result in natural calamities, in humans, an upset will result in disease.

 The well-known symbol of the yin-yang further demonstrates that nothing is pure Yin or pure Yang; black and white embrace and intertwine in perfect symmetry, each side containing a small seed of its opposite. The conclusion drawn from this theory is that good health entails the balance and harmony of all that is yin and all that is yang within the body.

Yang has its root in Yin
Yin has its root in Yang.
Without Yin, Yang cannot arise.
Without Yang, Yin cannot be born.
Yin alone cannot arise; Yang alone cannot grow.
Yin and Yang are divisible but inseparable. *

*excerpt from Huang Di Nei Jing = "The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine," (the best known and earliest of Chinese medical texts)

 Day gives way to night, night to day; a time of light and activity (Yang) is followed by darkness and rest (Yin). Flowers open and close, the moon waxes and wanes, the tides come in and go out; we wake and sleep, breathe in, breathe out. Yin/Yang is a constant, continual flow through which everything is expressed on the one hand and recharged on the other. They are an inseparable couple. Their proper relationship is health; a disturbance in this relationship is disease. (Acupuncture, p. 57)

  Yin (Female):                          Yang (Male):

  passive, dark, cold, moist       light, active, warm, dry

  that which moves medially     that which moves laterally

  deficient of Yang.                  deficient of Yin

Nothing is completely Yin or Yang. We ourselves are the combination of our mother (Yin) and our father (Yang). We contain qualities of both. This is the universal symbol describing the constant flow of yin and yang forces. You'll notice that within yin, there is Yang, and within Yang, there is the genesis of Yin. Whether or not you believe in Taoist philosophy, (which all this is based on), one thing is indisputable: Acupuncture works.

What is Cupping? This is a method of stimulating Acupuncture points by applying suction through a metal, wood or glass jar, in which a partial vacuum has been created. This technique produces blood congestion at the site, and therefore stimulates it. Cupping is used for low backache, sprains, soft tissue injuries, and helping relieve fluid from the lungs in chronic bronchitis.

What is Acupressure? A popular alternative to acupuncture, this is simply Acupuncture without needles. Stimulation of the Acupuncture points is performed with the fingers or an instrument with a hard ball shaped head. Another variation of Acupressure is Reflexology (also called Zone Therapy). This is where the soles of the feet and the posterior-inferior regions of the ankle joints are stimulated. Many diseases of the internal organs can be treated in this manner.

How does Acupuncture work? Scientists have no real answer to this; as you know many of the workings of the body are still a mystery. There are a few prevailing theories: 1. By some unknown process, Acupuncture raises levels of triglycerides, specific hormones, prostaglandins, white blood counts, gamma globulins, opsonins, and overall anti-body levels. This is called the "Augmentation of Immunity" Theory. 2. The "Endorphin" Theory states that Acupuncture stimulates the secretions of endorphins in the body (specifically Enkaphalins). 3. The "Neurotransmitter" Theory states that certain neurotransmitter levels (such as Seratonin and Noradrenaline) are affected by Acupuncture. 4. "Circulatory" Theory: this states that Acupuncture has the effect of constricting or dilating blood vessels. This may be caused by the body's release of Vasodilaters (such as Histamine), in response to Acupuncture. 5. The "Gate Control" Theory (most popular) explains that the perception of pain is controlled by a part of the nervous system which regulates the impulse, which will later be interpreted as pain. This part of the nervous system is called the "Gate." If the gate is hit with too many impulses, it becomes overwhelmed, and it closes. This prevents some of the impulses from getting through. The first gates to close would be the ones that are the smallest. The nerve fibers that carry the impulses of pain are rather small nerve fibers called "C" fibers. These are the gates that close during Acupuncture.  In the related "Motor Gate" Theory, some forms of paralysis can be overcome by Acupuncture. This is done by reopening a "stuck" gate, which is connected to an Anterior Horn cell. The gate, when closed by a disease, stops motor impulses from reaching muscles. This theory was first stated by Professor Jayasuriya in 1977. In it he goes on to say:  "...one of the factors contributing to motor recovery is almost certainly the activation of spindle cells. They are stimulated by Gamma motor neurons. If Acupuncture stimulates the Gamma motor neurons, the discharge causes the contraction of Intrafusal Muscle fibers. This activates the Spindle cells, in the same way as muscle stretching. This will bring about muscle contraction."

What can be treated by acupuncture?  There are many diseases that can be treated successfully by Acupuncture or its related treatments. The most common ailments currently being treated are: lower backache, Cervical Spondylosis, Condylitis, Arthritic Conditions, Headaches of all kinds (including migraine), Allergic Reactions, general and specific use for Analgesia (including surgery) and relief of muscles spasms. There have also been clinical trials in the use of Acupuncture in treating anxiety disorders and depression. Likewise, very high success rates have been found in treating addictions to alcohol, tobacco (nicotine) and "hard" drugs. Acupuncture can rid the body of the physical dependency, but can not rid the mind of the habit (psychological dependency). For this reason, I utilize NAET and Emotional NAET treatments along with nutrition and recommend AA/NA or therapy in conjunction.

 What is Herbal Medicine?  Herbal Medicine is the substantial counterpart to the energetic medicine of acupuncture. Many treatments for internal disharmonies or chronic conditions can greatly benefit from the use of Chinese herbal therapies. 
The first herbal classic - written in China and published in the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) - The Agriculture Emperors Materia Medica. The first plants discovered and used were usually for digestive system disorders and slowly as more herbs were discovered the herbs became more useful for an increasing number of ailments and herbal tonics were created. Every herb has its own properties which include its energy, its flavor, its movement and its related meridians to which it connects too.
The four types of energies are cold, cool, warm and hot. Usually cold or cool herbs will treat fever, thirst, sore throat and general heat diseases. Hot or warm herbs will treat cold sensation in the limbs, cold pain and general cold diseases.
The five flavors of herbs are pungent, sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Pungent herbs are generally used to induce perspiration and promote circulation of both blood and Qi. These herbs are usually used for superficial disorders. Sweet Herbs have 3 main functions; nourishing deficiency, harmonizing other herbs or reduce toxicity, relieve pain and slow the progression of acute diseases. Sour Herbs also have 3 functions; constrict, obstruct and solidify. These herbs are good to stop perspiration, stop diarrhea, stop seminal emission and stop leucorrhea. Salty herbs soften hardness, lubricate intestines and drain downward. These herbs are used to treat hard stool with constipation or hard swellings as in diseases like goiter. Bitter herbs induce bowel movements, reduce fevers and hot sensations, re direct rebellious Qi, dry dampness and clear heat. They can also nourish the kidneys and are used to treat damp diseases.
The four directions herbs move - After a herb is absorbed by a patient it can move in 4 different directions; upward towards the head, downward towards the lower extremities, inward toward the zang-fu organs or outward towards the superficial regions of the body. Upward movement herbs are used for falling symptoms like prolapsed organs. Downward moving herbs are used to push down up surging symptoms like coughing and vomiting. Outward moving herbs are used to induce perspiration and treat superficial symptoms that are moving towards the interior of the body. Inward movement of herbs induce bowel movements and promote digestion.
Each herb will have a corresponding meridian or meridians to which it will correspond to. For example: Jie Geng corresponds to the lungs and can be used for asthma or cough. Rib pain and sore eyes relate to the liver so as Gou Teng has an affinity for the liver meridian it can be used for the treatment of liver diseases.