Acupuncture is a treatment method that originated in China, involving the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain and treat a wide range of conditions. It has been practised continuously for more than two thousand years.
The theory behind it is that the body has pathways along which vital energy, or qi, flows. When that flow is disrupted or blocked, pain and illness can follow. Fine needling at specific points is used to clear those blockages and restore a normal, balanced flow of qi through the body.
What to expect
Your first visit starts with a conversation about your health, followed by an assessment of your pulse and tongue — the traditional diagnostic tools used to identify patterns of imbalance. Needling itself is typically painless or mildly sensational, and most people find sessions deeply relaxing.
Conditions commonly treated
Acupuncture is most often sought out for musculoskeletal pain, headaches and migraines, digestive complaints, sleep difficulties, and stress-related conditions, though treatment plans are always built around the individual rather than the diagnosis alone.