Acupuncture and acupressure

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese system of healthcare that involves the insertion of very fine, sharp needles into certain points of the body. There are nearly 12,000 "acupoints" along the body's 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels. Sixteenth-century Chinese doctors used the term "ch'i" (pronounced "chee") to describe the energy that circulates through meridians. The belief is that illness or pain is caused by a disruption of ch'i, leading to an imbalance of energy that can be corrected by acupuncture.

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It is thought that stimulation of the acupuncture points results in the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain reliever. Among other benefits, researchers have found that acupuncture might possibly provide relief from chronic headache pain. In a treatment series, the acupuncturist uses different combinations of points, different needling techniques, or both. If you choose this form of therapy, make sure your practitioner is certified and that clean, sterile needles are used. Acupressure follows the same principles as acupuncture but replaces needles with the application of physical pressure.

There are 6,500 licensed acupuncturists in the United States, and 3,000 doctors who perform acupuncture as part of their medical practice. The World Health Organization currently recognizes more than 40 medical problems, ranging from allergies to AIDS, that can be helped by acupuncture treatment.