Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing. The earliest acupuncture books were written 4,500 years ago. Acupuncture began with the discovery that the stimulation of specific areas of the skin affected the functioning of certain organs of the body. It evolved into a system of healing as the connection between the skin and the organs was better understood and more sensitive ways of stimulation were devised.

Qi: your body's energy

Acupuncture affects the flow of energy (Qi) in the body. Energy pathways, often referred to as channels or meridians, are one of the body's primary communication systems. Meridians are like rivers of energy inside the body. Qi flows through meridians as an invisible current, energizing, nourishing and supporting every cell, tissue, muscle, organ and gland. By unblocking and strengthening Qi flow, acupuncturists help to regulate the flow to different areas of the body. When Qi is balanced and flowing freely, the body’s natural self-healing abilities are activated, enabling internal stability and harmony. The body will flourish and true health and well-being will be achieved.

An effective treatment

There are more than 2,000 acupuncture points identified on the body. In order to restore balance and help the body maintain health, various combinations of these points are stimulated using very fine, disposable needles. Studies have confirmed that the use of the needles encourages the release and circulation of many chemicals in the body such as endorphins and opiates. An increase of these chemicals impacts the body in different ways, such as reducing pain and inflammation, increasing blood flow, resetting muscle fibers, and promoting a relaxed sense of well-being.

How it feels

Typically acupuncture can create a local sensation that feels like a heaviness, dullness, a mild ache or an electrical sensation. The needles can also create a twitch response in local muscle groups if muscles are being rebalanced. Many people report that while an immediate sensation can be felt, this is quickly replaced by a sense of warmth, release and relaxation.

Auricular (ear) acupuncture

Auricular Acupuncture is a specialized system of acupuncture. The earliest use of ear acupuncture, like body acupuncture, dates back to ancient China. Auricular acupuncture, as we know it today though, is largely the result of the work of Dr. Paul Nogier of France. It involves the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external ear surface for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in other parts of the body. The ear has the highest density of acupuncture points of the body. For treatment of auricular points, stimulation of active points can be done with acupuncture needles, ear tacks, ear seeds, magnets, manual pressure or electroacupuncture tools.

The ear holds a microsystem of the body, consistent with the brain map discoveries of Canadian neuroscientist Wilder Penfield in the 1940s. Dr. Penfield found that maps of the body exist on the surface of the brain, known as the "homunculus" or "little man". This same brain map is also projected onto different areas of the body, the ear being one place that the brain projects its "homunculus". The map on the ear is in the form of an upside down foetus, with all of the fine details of every part of the emotional and physical body represented.