Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are among the oldest healing practices in the world. As a part of traditional Asian medicine practices, they aim to restore and maintain the whole health of an individual, including emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Asian medicine approaches each patient on an individual basis, uniquely tailoring treatments to their specific needs.

Acupuncture involves the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using various techniques. Most commonly, very thin, sterile needles are inserted into the skin. Other techniques, called non-insertive techniques, involve the needle only touching the skin without insertion. This technique is very gentle and is commonly used with children.

Acupuncture and Qi (pronounced "chee") can be explained through the metaphor of river ways. When a river is blocked, it not only affects the local area with an excess of water, it also affects the water systems further down with a deficiency of water. When the blockage is removed, the river can return to a healthy functional system. In acupuncture, we use various techniques to remove blockages and restore balance.

Asian medicine is based on the idea of Qi, which is commonly translated as energy or life force. Qi flows through our body through a system of pathways. Acupuncture points are stimulated to allow the free flow of Qi in the body . Thousands of years of experience taught acupuncturists that when Qi is blocked in the body, it can create illness. By using the acupuncture points on the body, Qi is able to flow smoothly through the body. Acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body.

In western medical and scientific terms, the exact mechanism is still unknown. Recent theories include: the ability of acupuncture to modulate neuroendocrine functions, endorphin mediated pain relief, and new ideas on the role of fascia in an organisms well-being. Please see below for more information.