By settling your mind and body into a state of relaxation, your own system has the space to heal itself.
Acupuncture is a treatment method used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a complete medical system aimed at treating the underlying root causes of disharmony in the body. As a holistic therapy, treatments are individualized to benefit the patient as a whole - to restore balance for both physical and emotional well-being.
Very thin, sterile, and single-use needles are gently inserted into specific points on the body along a series of channels (energetic pathways) that interconnect tissues, muscles, and organs. Through these channels, Qi (vital energy) and blood flow freely to break through stagnation (stuck areas) and nourish the body.
From a TCM perspective, "when there is blockage, there is pain." Acupuncture initiates smooth Qi and blood flow through the channels to provide relief from physical, emotional, and energetic symptoms. It restores homeostasis by promoting circulation, reducing inflammation, and stimulating the endorphins that alleviate pain. Acupuncture turns on your parasympathetic nervous system, the "rest and digest" part of your nervous system, opposite of the "fight or flight" response of your sympathetic nervous system - which is what makes it so relaxing!
Learn more about the concepts, mechanism, and benefits of acupuncture here.