Acupuncture is a system of healing practiced in China and other Eastern countries for thousands of years. Although often described as a means of pain relief, it can also treat people with a wide range of illnesses.

According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health depends on the body’s motivating energy – known as Qi (or Chi, pronounced “chee”) – moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities – Yin and Yang – and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the energy channels, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s healing response and help restore its natural balance.

The flow of Qi can be disturbed by several factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons, and trauma. The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium within the body.

What conditions can acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture can treat various health conditions, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches and migraines, lower back pain and sciatica, frozen shoulder, arthritis, PMS, knee pain, and plantar fasciitis.

How does acupuncture work?

According to Oriental Medicine, acupuncture stimulates the flow of Qi, or natural healing energy, throughout one’s body. In a healthy person, Qi flows fully and freely. When the flow is blocked or disrupted, many types of illness or pain may result.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Though everyone has different sensitivity levels, acupuncture rarely causes any discomfort. Some people don’t feel the needle being inserted at all. Those more sensitive to needles have described the sensation as feeling like small mosquito bites, but only for a fraction of a second. Most people find the experience of receiving acupuncture relaxing. People often nap while the needles are in place.

Is acupuncture safe?

At DiBella Chiropractic, we use pre-sterilized, pre-packaged needles. Furthermore, acupuncture treatments are natural and drug-free, so there are none of the side effects and dependencies often associated with medication.