when i tell people that i am an acupuncturist, they often ask "so how does acupuncture actually work? how can sticking needles in someone be healing?" the first part of the answer is that traditional chinese medicine view the body in a very different way than western medicine. western medicine tends to focus on individual symptoms, whereas eastern medicine approaches the body as an integrated system.

when an acupuncturist treats a patient, not only is the specific symptom addressed but the underlying root imbalance is treated as well. through the lens of acupuncture, symptoms are seen as indications of deeper imbalances and treating this imbalance generally results in the disappearance of the symptoms.

thousands of years ago, chinese medical practitioners determined that each internal organ had an energetic pathway in the body upon which were acupuncture points. by stimulating these points and pathways, they were able to encourage the body to function more effectively. the stimulation of these points with needles or pressure allows our blood and energy to circulate more freely, providing nourishment to our cells, organs, tissues and muscles. this rebalancing can eliminate pain, restore balance and help our body's natural ability to heal itself.