Intro
ACUPUNCTURE and ORIENTAL MEDICINE​ ​
Oriental medicine is a catch-all phrase for the styles of assessment, acupuncture, herbal medicine, bodywork and exercise developed in Asia and now practiced worldwide. Oriental medicine is one of the oldest continuously practiced and refined systems of medicine in existence, dating back as far as four thousand years. Acupuncture is the most often practiced component of Oriental medicine, but it is an important piece of a much larger picture. Oriental medicine incorporates adjunctive techniques such as moxibustion, cupping, bodywork, herbal medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle changes, as well as, meditation and exercise to help a person to achieve and optimum state of balance and health.​ ​
Humans are unique bio-energetic systems through which energy (Qi) flows along specific pathways, called meridians, or channels. Points on these channels correspond to specific systems named after the organ from which they originate. When energy flows freely throughout this system, the person experiences a state of balance, health, and well being. When the energy flow is obstructed by trauma, poor diet, stress, emotional issues, environmental factors, medications, and hereditary conditions, this obstruction causes pain and illness. Chinese medicine focuses on balancing energy flow, which then stimulates the bodys natural ability to heal itself. ​
To really understand Oriental medicine and how acupuncture works, it is necessary to become familiar with the basics of Oriental philosophy. The philosophies of the Tao, Yin and Yang, the Three Treasures, the Eight Principles, and the Five Elements are all fundamental to traditional Oriental acupuncture practice and its specific role in helping to maintain good health and well being.
