What is Acupuncture?

Posted on November 7, 2008 by eresko

 

What is Acupuncture?

 

As a student of Acupuncture it will be hard to define what exactly it is in one paragraph, a better way to explain would be to actually invite you to sit in on my classes and read my textbooks with me, so we’ll settle with this for now.  One thing I can tell you is that in the context of discussing the topic you will find that it most always ends with somebody talking about how they got Acupuncture once or they know somebody who has and they had amazing results with it.  One of the purposes of this Blog is to share with you information on what Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is, how it works, how it can help you and answer any other questions that you may be wondering about, and throughout the lifetime of this Blog I intend to do just that.  So I welcome your questions, your comments and any suggestions that you may have along the way!    

  

So for now my answer to the question is this:

 

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese Medicine practice that originated over five thousand years ago.  The practitioner bases his/her treatment on a holistic overview of the patient, i.e. symptomatic patterns, relationships, environmental factors, emotional factors, life experiences, diet and nutrition and overall body and life dynamics that the practitioner can observe and obtain from discussion with the patient.   Very thin needles are used as tools to essentially tap into a set of channels or meridians that run like a highway system through our bodies.  These meridians are each interconnected to internal organs and specific organ pathways, and within these channels flows Qi, an energetic substance that can be defined as “life force”.  Each meridian contains a series of points; and when stimulated, each serves their own significant purpose.  Generally speaking, by manipulating the needles, one can rebalance the energy flow (Qi) and therefore, rebalance the body restoring health. 

 

If you are interested in reading more about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, here are a couple of books that I recommend:

 

The Web That Has No Weaver

Between Heaven and Earth

About eresko

I am a licensed Acupuncturist and NCCAOM Board certified Diplomat of Oriental Medicine. I live in Hailey, Idaho, where I have an Acupuncture practice, Erin Hill Acupuncture as well as a type of Integrative Wellness Care practice, Tune Up. I am also a Level I & II certified Kettlebell Instructor and teach private classes in the Wood River Valley, Idaho. I have been very active in sports and athletics since I can remember. I received my BS in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado @ Boulder. In my practice I utilize all modalities to help get you where you want to be, whether with Acupuncture, Nutrition, or Kettlebell training. I am well versed in treating Sports specific conditions; pain, injuries, strains & sprains and use my knowledge of the body both from a Chinese Medical standpoint and a traditional Western one; a concept that most of my patients are familiar with. In addition, I incorporate my knowledge of the physical body & how we move, where restrictions, pain, or tightness may reside and how that, in turn, affects the internal organs or vice versa. For each individual that walks through my door, I am able to assess what each person needs as far as therapy to achieve their goals. Each person is different, inside and out and treatments should reflect that. Among my modalities, I use Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Tuina (a type of Chinese bodywork), Japanese style Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Nutrition, and Lifestyle coaching as well as my Kettlebell training for rehab and for improving one's fitness level.
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2 Responses to What is Acupuncture?

  1. Holistic Junction Haven says:
    January 29, 2009 at 7:50

    Oh wow — this is such an excellent blog post on acupuncture. I wish more people would be so fortunate to take the time to read material like this. As an advocate for holistic and natural healing medicine and therapies, I really appreciate the value that this and material like yours offer the public — thank you for sharing a small part of your experience w/the world.

    PS — Plz feel free to follow me on twitter @ http://twitter.com/holisticschools

    • eresko says:
      January 29, 2009 at 7:50

      Thank you so much for your interest and enthusiasm about the site! You really just made my day by writing such a thoughtful note! Keep checking in and I will keep posting… and hopefully keep your interest and others’ as my journey goes on!

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