Acupuncture

 

      Acupuncture has been practiced in China for several thousand years, although this traditional healing art didn't catch Americans' interest until the early 1970s when a Western reporter in Beijing received acupuncture for postoperative pain.

      According to ancient Chinese medical theory, the life force (called qi or ch'i and pronounced "chee") flows through the body via 14 invisible channels (called meridians), regulating all physical and mental processes.  Opposing forces within the body, called yin and yang, must be balanced to keep ch'i flowing properly.  The meridians supposedly run deep within the body's tissues and organs, surfacing at some 360 places identified as acupuncture points.  Certain meridians are identified with organs such as the bladder or liver, and the points all along such meridians--even in the hands or feet--are believed capable of affecting the associated internal organ.  Stimulating these points is said to balance and restore the flow of ch'i.

      The actual insertion of the hair-thin, disposable needles has been described as feeling like a mosquito bite.  After insertion, the needles may be stimulated by twirling them or connecting them to a mild electrical current (there is no risk of electrical shock).  This stimulation may cause a mild tingling sensation.  The needles may be inserted from a fraction of an inch up to about one inch deep.  They can either be withdrawn a few seconds after insertion or kept in place for up to 30 minutes.