HARNESSING "QI" ENERGY THROUGH ACUPUNCTURE

WRITTEN BY ALYSSA D'ARCY, LIC. ACU.

Acupuncture is an ancient technique of inserting thin needles into specific points on the body that trigger physiological and biochemical changes - stimulating the body's own healing process. Acupuncture stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and harnesses "Qi" - the energy that flows through the body in pathways called meridians. When Qi/energy is flowing smoothly through the body, we are at our healthiest. When Qi is blocked or becomes stagnant, illnesses, and disharmonies arise. Everything from anxiety and depression to a sports injury or joint pain can be treated with acupuncture. As an Acupuncturist, my goal is to re-establish the flow of Qi and harmonize the body's balance of Yin + Yang.

As living beings, we carry an energetic vibration. We learned in physics that everything in the universe is made up of matter and energy. Even something as solid as a rock is constantly vibrating. When you say someone has a good vibe about them, you're really talking about that person's vibrational energy. Happy/healthy people tend to vibrate at a higher frequency; lighter, happier, and more at ease. We recognize and feel it when we are around them. Acupuncture strategically moves energy through meridians in order to promote blood flow and, thus, the flow of Qi. You walk out of your appointment feeling better but not quite being able to pinpoint how or why.

Another important aspect of eastern medicine is the use of herbal formulas. Often acupuncturists use herbal medicine to complement and prolong their treatments. Herbalism is the study and knowledge of healing with plants. In herbal medicine, a plant's seeds, roots, bark, berries, leaves, or flowers are ground up for medicinal purposes, and when they are formulated, they create powerful healing and can help achieve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

So, why would someone choose Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine? Acupuncture effectively addresses and treats the root of the issue. As an Acupuncturist, I want to know the cause of the symptom - i.e., why are you experiencing this issue? Hundreds of clinical studies on the benefits of acupuncture show that it successfully treats conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems (like back and neck pain), mental health issues, insomnia, and infertility. I love that I can treat several issues at once - not to mention all of the health issues I'm preventing. If you're originally coming in for sciatica, but you also are under an enormous amount of stress at work, we address both of those issues in one treatment. This makes Acupuncture healing in an extremely powerful way because it is both preventative and effective after just one treatment.