How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture needles are like little knobs which can be used to increase (tonify) or decrease (sedate) energy at different points in the pathway of the meridians. Meridians are like flowing rivers. They carry the qi, literally "finest matter substance" but basically equivalent to energy , between the internal organs and the outside world. There are 12 regular meridians which travel from the organs to the fingers and toes as well as 8 "extra" meridians which serve as a reservoir for qi for these regular meridians. The meridians have many tiny branches connecting to each other as well as to muscles, tendons, and skin. The qi flows unidirectionally in the 12 regular meridians, and acupuncture points can be strategically used to increase the qi in areas where it has run low (like a river run dry) or to drain the qi in areas where it has clumped up and disrupted flow (like cars in a traffic jam).

When treating aches, pains, and stiffness, the practitioner may either place needles directlly into the affected area, locally stimulating the blood and qi flow there, or into distal points along the meridians which indirectly open that area up for blood and qi. Ear acupuncture is another method of accessing parts of the body, as every area on the body maps out to a very precise spot on the ear.