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The word acupuncture literally means piercing with needles (‘acus’ meaning needle and puncture meaning piercing of the skin).
The focus of acupuncture treatment is the ‘qi’ (pronounced as ‘chee’) or the life energy of the body.
Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine believe that the ‘qi’ is flowing though every living being and that it is what allows life to occur. ‘Qi’ flows through the body through channels known as meridians. There are 12 major meridians of the body (and several minor meridians), which are associated with twelve major organ systems of the body. It is through these meridians that the ‘qi’ flows, promoting life and well being, and affecting the quality of the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. By placing the hair fine acupuncture needles into the skin at strategic points in the body known as acupuncture points, acupuncture can help to promote healing, alleviate pain, bolster the immune system, help to fight substance abuse and generally encourage good health in myriad ways.
