Acupuncture Basics Part 1: What Is Acupuncture?

If you’re new to holistic healing methods, the idea of healing yourself by having dozens of tiny needles inserted into your body might give a person pause.

In fact, some western medical practitioners are unfamiliar with all of the benefits this ancient Easter tradition can provide, and will only suggest seeing an acupuncturist as a last resort.

However, while acupuncture may not be everybody’s cup of tea, there are a host of positive effects that can be achieved through the practice. If you’re considering trying it for the first time, but wonder “what is acupuncture?”, allow Dr. Hong to explain it, and describe how it can help you.

See what Traditional Chinese Medicine is all about!

How Acupuncture Works

For over two millennia, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has developed many ways to improve health and relieve pain. TCM encompasses the use of herbal remedies, as well as mind and body practices, including acupuncture.

TCM practitioners believe that disease—mental or physical—develops in the body when disruptions of energy flow occur. The invisible life-energy flow, called Qi, travels through the body’s channels, which are called meridians. This is where acupuncture comes in.

At its core, acupuncture is the practice of stimulating specific points in the body by inserting sterilized, hair-thin metallic needles into one as many as 2,000 acupuncture points located throughout the body.

Where Are Acupuncture Points Located?

Each session will involve 10-40 needles, and you should experience minimal discomfort, although some clients don’t feel them at all.

Once the needles are inserted into the acupuncture points and reach the correct depth, some clients experience a mild pressure or tingling. Don’t worry, this means the treatment is working.

Each meridian has several points mapped out along its path. The meridians that run throughout the body are the:

Lung Meridian: It runs from the thumb to the shoulder. It has 11 points.
Large Intestine Meridian: It runs from the index finger to the shoulder and up to the nasal passages. It has 20 points.
Stomach Meridian: It runs from the second toe up to the neck and splits. The meridian goes up to both eyes and along the jawline to the sides of the head. It has 45 points.
Spleen Meridian: It runs from the large toe along the inside leg and up to the pectoral region, deviating to just under the arm. It has 21 points.
Heart Meridian: It runs from the pinky along the inner part of the arm, stopping at the armpit. It has 9 points.
Small Intestine Meridian: It starts from the index finger, runs to the shoulder, and then zigzags through the neck, ending in front of the ear. It has 19 points.
Urinary Bladder Meridian: It departs from the last toe to the heel and runs up the back legs and gluteal region, continuing through the back, neck, and over the top of the head to the bridge of the nose. It has 67 points.
Kidney Meridian: It starts from the middle of the foot and runs up the leg along the middle of the stomach, stopping at the clavicle. It has 27 points.
Pericardium Meridian: It runs from the middle finger to the pectoral region. It has 9 points.
San Jiao Meridian: It runs from the ring finger to the back of the neck, along the back of the ear and stops between the eye and eyebrow. It has 23 points.
Gall Bladder Meridian: From the fourth toe, it runs up the leg to the gluteal region and zig zags between the lower back and sternum. It passes by the back of the neck and flows through the top and side of the head where it ends outside of the eye. It has 44 points.
Liver Meridian: Starting at the large toe, it flows up the leg to ribs, stopping just under the pectoral region. It has 14 points.

Acupuncture is a fascinating type of medicine, so if you’re tired of living with pain or a compromised health, Dr. Hong is here to help.

Want to know more about acupuncture? See Part 2.

Consult an Expert For Acupuncture in Calgary

Whether you’re looking for alternative pain relief methods or you’ve had regular acupuncture sessions and need a new specialist, Dr. Hong provides a friendly and transparent process.

To improve your health in a comprehensive manner, it is likely that several acupuncture sessions will be necessary.

Call for an appointment today!