Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating fine needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. The word acupuncture comes from the Latin acus, “needle”, and pungere, “to prick”.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of treating health ailments. This method provides relief from illness by needle puncture of specific points on the body and is speedily gaining fame in private health centers and among other health service providers.
This form of health care alternative medicine is based on the concept of Qui or Chi (pronounced ‘chee’). This is a vital energy force comparable to ‘prana’ in Indian philosophy. According to traditional Chinese concept the structure of the universe is explained on the basis of Yin and Yang. They represent two aspects of energy, imbalance of which results in a disease condition. ‘Yin’ stands for all that is negative like peace endurance, weakness etc. And ‘Yang stands for all positive influences like strength, warmth, sun, heaven, male.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) states in many public health magazines that the body is made up of five hollow organs. These are represented on the body surface according to their energy flow on ‘Meridians’. Specific points or acupoints were charted out on these meridians. The stimulation of these points by needles leads to a balance of energy forces and this is responsible for cure of diseases caused by imbalance of body energy.
