What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago. Acupuncture literally means 'needle piercing," the practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes. Along with the usual method of puncturing the skin with the fine needles, the practitioners of acupuncture also use heat, pressure, friction, suction, or impulses of electromagnetic energy to stimulate the points. The acupoints (acupuncture points) are stimulated to balance the movement of energy (qi) in the body to restore health.by the hands or by electrical stimulation.Acupuncture has been a major part of primary healthcare in China for the last 2,000 years. It is used extensively for a variety of medical purposes ranging from the prevention and treatment of disease, to relieving pain and anesthetizing patients for surgery. As in many oriental medicine practices, the emphasis of acupuncture is on prevention. In traditional Chinese medicine, the highest form of acupuncture was given to enable you to live a long, healthy life.
There are 365 main acupuncture points spaced all over the body. These are the main points that an acupuncturist will use in daily treatment. There are also over 500 local, non meridian and master points that are not as commonly used.
Each of the points has an ancient name that is very important part of Five Element Acupuncture. Some of these pertain to the points location, a lot of them are to do with the Spirit of the Point. The Spirit of the Point is about the particular healing energy available from that point.
Below is five examples of Acupuncture Points and their spirits, one chosen from one of each of the Five Elements.



Stomach 20. " Receive Fullness " This point is on one of the Earth meridians. Earth people can feel a sense of emptiness and this can express through a feeling of neediness. Receive Fullness is the start of the healing, to help them know that there is enough and satisfaction is available.
Lung 1 "Middle Palace" Metal is about heavenly purity with the Lung meridian and letting go of what is not pure or needed with the Colon. This point takes the patient to the Heavenly Palace where "God" resides, gives inspiration and pure essence.
Kidney 7 "Returning Current" Water people can resemble both frozen or flooding water. This point helps maintain the balance, the harmony between these states. Reassures them that with a returning current there is safety, not just fear.
Liver 14 "Gate of Hope" Wood is about the future and the ability to plan and make decisions. Open the Gate of Hope when there is resignation, no plans, no growth, no hope for the future. The gate forward.
Heart Protector 8 "Palace of Weariness" There are four Fire meridians each with their own feel. Fire people may exhibit both an excess and lack of joy. The Palace is where you take them to Gods house to be fed, bathed and rested when they are sick of struggling. This fills them with Fire, warmth and love, gives them the strength to go on.