By the third treatment her headaches and premenstrual symptoms were much improved. A month ahead of schedule she had experienced such a dramatic change in her PMS less weepiness, irritability, anxiety and no headaches that she was able to taper off her treatments to every two weeks. Mary, who reports feeling more at ease in her daily life and enjoying her husband and kids more, now has acupuncture treatments once a month for maintenance, and to prevent potential problems from arising. One of the reasons for that increase is that people have discovered that acupuncture produces results. Most people know that acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into the body but many don t really understand how it works or the philosophy behind the treatment.
Acupuncture is a major part of the system of Oriental medicine.
Underlying them all is a world view that sees human beings as directly connected to all life, and part of the same design that includes the entire cosmos. In the Oriental view, health is balance or harmony within a person and their environment that manifests as a peaceful vitality. Oriental medicine emphasizes the prevention and treatment of illness, addressing the diet and lifestyle factors which influence health and disease, and encouraging a person to become more self-aware. The goal of therapy, with acupuncture and the other arts, is to restore balance to a person s underlying foundational energy, and in doing so attune her to that part of herself that knows how to live in a healthful and peaceful way. Today s needles are very fine, sterile, stainless steel needles which are quite comfortable, and generally inserted with the aid of plastic guide tubes which minimize the sensation of insertion.