About Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used systems of healing in the world. Having originated in China thousands of years ago, it has only in the last three decades become popular in the United States. In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration estimated that Americans made up to 17.9 million visits per year to acupuncture practitioners and spent upwards of half a billion dollars on acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points located on the surface of the skin, which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to achieve the desired effect. Those points are stimulated by the insertion of hair thin, disposable stainless steel needles. Modern research shows that acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, serotonin, and other neuro-chemicals that promote circulation and hormonal balance as well as reduce pain and inflammation.
The aim of acupuncture is not only to eliminate or alleviate symptoms, but to treat the underlying cause and improve the patient's quality of life. One of acupuncture's strong points is that it focuses on treating the individual, not a disease or symptom. A great advantage of acupuncture treatment is the absence of undesireable side effects.