A major part of traditional Chinese medicine is Acupuncture. It has been acclaimed as one of the oldest forms of healing in the world. The story behind acupuncture is the belief that there a disruption in the flow of qi and imbalances within the forces of both yin and yang cause many diseases to occur. A combination of herbs, meditation, massage and acupuncture are believed to restore the balance of yin-hang and the flow of qi. This helps to aid the healing process. Acupuncture involves the stimulation of specific points in the body, which removes blockages in the flow of qi and therefore restores and maintains one's health. Acupuncture is an area of alternative medicine, which is not widely accepted as part of conventional medicine.

Although acupuncture is not accepted as being a traditional medicine, there are some points that we need to consider about it:

Acupuncture has been used by Chinese and other Asian people for many, many years.

Scientists have been studying the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating many conditions for many years.

Very few complications arise as a result of using acupuncture, although there can be serious side effects if the treatment is not performed by a person who is qualified to perform it.

Although the procedure has existed in China and other Asian countries for several years, it has only been used in the United States since 1971. Since acupuncture was introduced, many people have chosen to use it for many conditions, including chronic pain, arthritis, post-surgical pain and migraines. Many people squirm at the thought of needles being injected into them, but most swear by the benefits received by using acupuncture. Many people turn to acupuncture after they have exhausted traditional medical procedures that have not helped their condition.

There is no need to fear acupuncture as long as you visit a practitioner that is suitably qualified. Complications are usually only caused when a practitioner does not follow proper safety procedures or they are not fully qualified. In the United States, the FDA regulates the use of the needles, and can also include a requirement for one time use. I would not visit a medical doctor who was not qualified to care for me, and everyone should take the same precaution when choosing their acupuncture practitioner.

By understanding the procedure and being careful to choose a qualified practitioner, you will gain a better understanding of acupuncture and will be able to make an informed decision regarding the benefits it may provide for you. One should not choose a practitioner based solely on the recommendation of someone else, unless you have first conducted your own research.