Acupuncturists will place fine, sterile needles at specific acu-points on the body. The insertion of needles activates the body’s Qi and promotes natural healing by enhancing recuperative power and activating the body’s innate ability to heal itself. It also can improve overall function and well-being. It is a safe, painless and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems and conditions. When the needles are inserted into specific acu-points, acupuncture triggers direct, measurable effects on the body including the following:

	Improved Circulation
	Reduced Inflammation / Stagnant Heat
	Pain Relief

IMPROVED CIRCULATION: Chinese acupuncture theory maintains that there are 12 main meridians or energy channels that relate to the internal organs: lungs, large intestine, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, bladder, kidney, pericardium (the sac around the heart), triple warmer (or san jiao), gall bladder and liver.

Acupuncture is based on the assumption that Qi courses throughout the body through these meridians. An acupuncture treatment works by regulating the movement of Qi, which is responsible for the circulation of blood, so by restoring the healthy circulation of Qi throughout the body, there is a healthy circulation of blood. This improved circulation will also help to accelerate recovery times from invasive procedures by nourishing affected tissues. .

REDUCED INFLAMMATION: When acupuncture needles are inserted, this triggers a response from the central nervous system to release a substance called “Cortisol”. Cortisol is the body's own natural anti-inflammatory and anti-stress chemical. Reducing inflammation helps to promote healing which explains why acupuncture works so well for joint and structural disorders.

PAIN RELIEF: Studies into the physiological reactions of the body following acupuncture treatments have offered some scientific insight into how acupuncture affects pain. The findings focused on the ability of acupuncture to stimulate the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killers and feel good chemicals. Endorphins have been found to be nearly 1,000 times stronger than morphine. MRI Research also demonstrates that acupuncture induces several cerebral glucose metabolism changes in pain-related brain regions and reduces intensity of pain.