Acupuncture is a system of healing which has been practised in China and other Eastern countries for thousands of years. Although often described as a means of pan relief, it is in fact used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy-known as Qi (pronounced 'chi')-moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities- Yin and Yang- and when these become unbalanced, illness may result.
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By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors. these include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma. The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium within the body.