The Chinese have their own way of healing themselves that date back to the Stone Age. Acupuncture is one traditional healing method that made the Chinese very popular. In fact, this technique of relieving pain is so renowned that it has spread to other parts of the world and used up until today by people of various nationalities who believe in this Chinese method.

Acupuncture in China started at around 3,000 B.C. and used sharpened stones or the Bian shi for their needles. These sharp pointed rocks used in treating diseases in the olden days were discovered by archaeologists in ruins.

In the U.S., acupuncture became known in the 1970s after the publication of an article in New York Times. The article was written by James Reston who had appendectomy in China and acupuncture therapy to relieve his discomfort after the surgery. Later on, it was the National Acupuncture Association (NAA), the very first association dedicated to acupuncture in the U.S. that spread the word through its seminars and research presentations.

Chicago is just one state in the U.S. that provides this acupuncture therapy. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveals that more than 10 million adults in the U.S. have used acupuncture at some point in their lives. Acupuncture Chicago involves the insertion and manipulation of very fine filiform needles on certain body points to relieve pain and promote healing. The traditional Chinese theory medicine claims that the body's acupuncture points are located along meridians where the qi or energy flows.

There are a total of 14 meridians located throughout the body, the 12 of which are the main acupuncture points while the two are the extra. There are also the so-called tender points used for treating local pain. The main 12 blood flow pathways are in the heart, lung, large intestine, stomach, spleen, small intestine, bladder, kidney, pericardium, liver, gall bladder and San Jiao.

Acupuncture as part of oriental medicine Chicago involves features different types such as the classical Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Tibetan and Korean. These days, people practicing this therapeutic method use disposable very fine stainless steel needles that are sterilized with ethylene oxide with the upper end covered with wire or plastic. According to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, this Chinese form of therapy is accepted in the U.S. as very effective in treating musculoskeletal pain. The NIH in its 1997 consensus statement has also acknowledged the value of acupuncture in conventional medicine and has encouraged further studies on this subject matter.

In the Chicago area, there's A Center for Oriental Medicine which offers acupuncture therapy, herbal medicines, Chinese acupressure massage and lifestyle counseling. The center is known for its compassionate way of treating a patient's entire physical and mental well being, promoting balance and providing pain relief Chicago using a holistic approach. It also utilizes high quality Chinese herbs Chicago that are safe to use in treating various conditions.