What is Acupuncture?

The science of acupuncture and moxibustion is an important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine used in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Acupuncture is a therapy which consists of the insertion of fine needles in special points of the body in a painless way. The effect is to regulate the energy (Qi) and the yin and yang balance along ‘meridian lines’ which are connected to the different organs of the body. This therapy has been used and accepted by people for thousands of years.

Modern research shows that acupuncture can affect most of the body’s systems: the nervous system, muscle tone, hormonal output, circulation, antibody production and allergic responses, as well as the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

Moxibustion is a therapy that applies a heated material to points or certain locations of the body. The material used is mainly “moxa-wool” in the form of a cone or stick. A disease that can not treated by acupuncture may be treated by moxibustion instead.

Cupping is another therapeutic approach whereby the practitioner attaches a small jar to parts of the body in which a vacuum is created. Cupping is used in combination with acupuncture and moxibustion.

Each patient’s case will be assessed by Dr. Zhang and treatment is tailored to the individual. Typically, fine needles are inserted through the skin and left in 30 minutes, sometimes with manual or electrical stimulation. The number of needles varies and two or three treatment a week may be required to begin with, then at longer intervals as the condition responds. A typical course of treatment lasts 8 to10 sessions.