Acupuncture
Acupuncture originated in China over 5,000 years ago. It is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that is based on the premise that vital energy, called qi, circulates in the body through many pathways, called meridians. Normal flow of qi results in good health. When an imbalance in the flow of qi within a meridian exists, disease begins. Although there are many meridians that have been identified in the body, there are only twelve principle meridians that are utilized in treatment in traditional Chinese medicine.
Each meridian is associated with a different organ system. Needles are inserted into specified points along meridian lines to influence the restoration and balance of the flow of qi. Acupuncture has been time tested over thousands of years and continues to be validated today. In 1997, the National Institutes of Health released a consensus statement endorsing acupuncture for the treatment of a variety of conditions such as post-operative pain, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome.