The short answer is – everything. Acupuncture helps restore the body’s natural healing process by balancing our energy called ‘Qi’. In order for our bodies to function best, our yin and yang of ‘Qi’ energy must be in good balance with one another.
What does this all mean?
Well often times our yin and yang energy isn’t in balance in our bodies, and we have numerous symptoms that result. When there is not enough yin energy, or it is not strong enough, then people suffer with insomnia, infertility, hot flashes, night sweats or anxiety. When there is not enough yang, you’ll start to notice things like chills, loose stools, cold limbs and spontaneous sweating. By rebalancing the yin and yang energy in your body, these symptoms can be resolved.
To understand pain: Qi travels like water through the body along channels called ‘meridians’. The Qi must continue to run smoothly through the channels for our bodies to not feel pain. By correcting the flow of Qi in the channels, ailments, as well as pain, are corrected.
How does acupuncture do all this?
Acupuncture uses very tiny needles to tap into your body’s energy and correct the imbalance. The acupuncture points that are used are specifically chosen by your acupuncturist based on his understanding of Chinese Medicine and his knowledge of which points address your particular condition. Most patients report little to no sensation with acupuncture needles, so you don’t have to worry about whether acupuncture hurts!
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine’s ability to treat over 43 common disorders including:
- Addictions, such as alcohol, nicotine, or opioid drugs
- Emotional and Psychological Disorders, including stress, insomnia, depression, anxiety
- Urogenital Disorders, including incontinence, urinary tract infections, sexual dysfunction
- Gynecological Disorders, such as irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation, infertility, PMS
- Respiratory Disorders, such as the common cold, emphysema, asthma, allergies
- Disorders of the Bones, Muscles, Joints and Nervous System, such as arthritis, carpal tunnel
- Circulatory Disorders, such as hypertension and anemia
- Life changes like menopause, pregnancy support, and weight loss
- Supportive Therapy for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders.
