Oriental Medicine

Oriental Medicine utilizes a number of different modalities for treatment. It is based on the theory of energy flow (Qi, or Chi), which circulates throughout the body. The energy flows through channels (or meridians) and can be accessed at specific points along those channels. Acupuncture, being the most readily known aspect of oriental medicine, can be traced back some 8,000 years. The most widely known of the theories of oriental medicine is the theory of Yin and Yang. The earliest references can be dated back to the Xia dynasty (2205 BCE-1766 BCE).

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the use of very thin, hair like needles, which are inserted at specific points on the body. One western explanation for how acupuncture works is that the needle acts as an irritant and stimulates the immune response. Though this is clearly part of the answer, it is not the entire picture. Many studies have demonstrated that the quality of acupuncture results are point specific. When they just insert needles randomly(sham acupuncture) the results are minimal, as in a placebo effect. When they follow a proper point prescription, the results were far more impressive. Just eliciting an immune response on random locations may have some benefit, but it does not produce the results that we see with acupuncture. The first acupuncture needles used were actually made of stone. Today the needles are made of stainless steel, used once and disposed of.