The Wall Street Journal recently published article addressing acupuncture and the mystery of how it works. Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, and it is based on the idea that the human body possesses a force called qi (pronounced chee). Qi travels through meridians in the body, and health maladies result from blockages of this energy. Acupuncture, which entails the placing of needles along these meridians, helps qi flow properly, curing the body and alleviating pain. Practitioners believe that acupuncture can help with arthritis, asthma, back pain, acne, and infertility.
Researchers are beginning to confirm that acupuncture does actually make an impact on a person’s health. Brain activity, blood flow, and inflammation all can be affected by acupuncture. While some still question whether the practice is any more effective than randomly placing needles in a patient’s skin, there are real benefits to receiving this natural treatment.