Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of healing art known to mankind and it was originated in China nearly five thousand years ago. The word “acupuncture” is divisable in two parts, acu- and puncture. Acu- in Latin means needle and puncture comes from Latin to pierce with a pointed instrument. Acupuncture is a practice of insertion of needles into specific exterior body locations to relieve pain, to induce biological changes, and for therapeutic purposes.
Acupuncture points are located and joined together in “channels” or “meridians”, along which Qi (life energy) flows. The points used in treatment are carefully chosen by acupuncturist to disperse any blockages and to bring the patient's Qi into balance.
Most acupuncturists in the USA are now using fine, sterilized, and disposable needles in practice. The needling induced pain is minimal and adverse reaction is very rare.
Moxibustion is the process whereby a dried herb is burnt, either directly on the skin or indirectly above the skin over specific acupuncture points to warm the Qi and Blood in the channels. In modern clinic, a substitute device called TDP lamp is often used for the very same purpose of moxibustion.