Acupuncture
According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy – known as Qi () – moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels beneath the skin.

Acupuncture has been practised in China and other Eastern countries for thousands of years. Although often described as a means of pain relief, it is in fact used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses.

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 between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual. Its focus is on improving the overall well being of the patient, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms.

© The British Acupuncture Council