Would you ever think that getting stuck with needles would make you feel better? Well, it might. People use acupuncture to balance the energies in their bodies and more people should use it because it will make those people feel a lot better. What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is needles inserted into the skin at specially designated points. It works by balancing energies, yin and yang. People should use it because studies have shown that of 2,182 cases treated for Chronic Pain and whiplash residuals, 87.7% reported significant improvement, 2% experienced no change.
According to the legend, acupuncture was discovered when ancient Chinese warriors, wounded by arrows, miraculously experienced relief from illnesses and pain they had suffered for years. Their aching suddenly ceased by using sharp, thin stones. But they realized the insertions didn't need to be so big and switched to slivers of bamboo and stone. Finally, they used bronze or iron to create needles which produced the same physical affects. It is also based on a theory that there is energy, chi or qi, flowing through your body. Chi is thought to flow along energy pathways called meridians. If the flow of chi is blocked or unbalanced at any point on a pathway, theoretically it may result in an illness. .
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This practice or procedure treats illness and/or provides local anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specified sites of the body. Acupuncture needles are very fine, about the diameter of a thick hair, and are made of stainless steel. Acupuncture needles are solid, unlike hypodermic needles, which are hollow and inject substances into the body. Special insertion techniques have been developed enabling the skilled practitioner to place needles with little or no sensation at all. For the most part, the depth of penetration for acupuncture needles is shallow. The needles are placed into muscle tissue and do not come in contact with nerves or major blood vessels.