Acupuncture is the insertion of hair-thin needles into the skin in order to induce a therapeutic effect. Needles are inserted at specific spots called acupuncture points, after which they are often retained for a short while and then removed. Although there are a diversity of sensations associated with receiving acupuncture, many people find it painless. The effectiveness of acupuncture is not only anecdotal and historical, it has now been demonstrated by many years of modern research.

One of the basic tenets of acupuncture is, “Where there is blockage, there is pain.” This can be understood as inhibited blood flow, stagnant lymph flow, improper nerve communication, or, in the vocabulary of Classical Chinese Medicine, a blockage in the movement of qi (vital life force). Acupuncture needles remove blockage and help return the body to a state of resilient responsiveness. Acupuncture can treat a wide variety of complaints, including but not limited to pain, injuries, emotional disorders, internal organ issues, immune and nervous system issues, sleep problems, acute diseases such as cold and flu, women’s health, health concerns during pregnancy, recovery from and alleviation of side effects of medical treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery, skin problems, problems with sensory organs, and so on.

Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with moxibustion, called moxa for short. Moxa is an herbal heat therapy that expels cold from the meridians and regulates blood flow. Dried mugwort (artmesia vulgaris) is rolled into pellets and placed either on acupuncture points where salve has first been applied, or at the top of acupuncture needles. The pellets are then lit, one at a time, releasing heat and energy that is absorbed into the body. When directly on the skin, the pellets are safely extinguished once the patient feels a sensation of warmth. Burning and scarification are not a part of this therapy. In another method called indirect moxa, dried mugwort is rolled into cigar-sized cylinders, lit, and held over acupuncture points, with no direct contact to skin.