What is Acupuncture?
As one component of East Asian Medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion are a complete system of healing. Although referred to as "alternative medicine", "complimentary medicine" may better reflect its comprehensive nature. Acupuncture integrates well with other forms of therapy, including Western Medicine and patients don't have to choose one treatment at the exclusion of the other. While this ancient medicine may be relatively new in America it has been extensively used around the world for thousands of years!
Through careful and intense observation of nature, ancient practitioners discovered flows of energy in the body. This energy, called qi, moves along pathways commonly called meridians. When functioning properly, qi moves smoothly without obstruction or disruption. typically without any awareness of the movement of life animating qi.
When various physical, mental, or emotional realities disrupt the movement of qi, we become aware as symptoms arise. Consider a river -- when the current is disrupted by falling trees, the water may overrun its banks and impact wildlife and the surrounding area. In the body we experience this 'disruption' as pain, disease, and instability. Over time, what began as a mild situation can escalate into something that can't be ignored or majorly impacts other areas of life.
Simply put, East Asian Medicine restores the smooth flow of qi. By treating points specifically selected for you, the body returns to its natural balance and reinvigorates the body's ability to heal itself. This healing is not linear, it is a continuous process that unfolds one moment at a time. Dis-ease becomes ease. Healing progresses. General well-being changes. Life is different.
While the needles and moxa are an important part of the healing, they don't act alone. The food we eat, busy-ness, sleep, habits, and the way we generally live our lives also impact healing. Dr. Wells includes dietary, activity, and other lifestyle recommendations to support your treatment.
Acupuncture is quite powerful as a preventive medicine to treat before the disharmonies form or escalate. One doesn't have to be sick or in pain to benefit from acupuncture!
Acupuncture is often used as a last ditch effort, when other treatments haven't produced the desired results. This doesn't have to be the case; many people have commented that they wish they would've experienced acupuncture before they endured highly invasive or costly procedures.
When performed by a skilled and licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture and the associated therapies are safe and effective!