Once there, he suffered a severe appendicitis attack and underwent emergency surgery. During his post-operative recovery, Chinese medical doctors offered acupuncture to relieve his pain and promote healing. Since then, acupuncture has become increasingly popular in the United States, especially for pain-related problems. Before we talk about acupuncture treatment for pain, let us look at how Chinese medicine explains pain. When the flow of Chi is blocked or stagnant, pain and illness result.
Meridians exist at every level of the body.
If Chi is blocked at the skin level, you can see bruising or swelling of the tissue. Internal blockages can produce many symptoms and kinds of pain, including headaches, sore throat, chest pain, stomach pain, menstrual pain, sciatic and nerve pain. Acupuncture is the principal treatment modality employed by Chinese medicine practitioners to break up blockages and promote the free flow of Chi through the body. When the affected meridian is correctly identified, and the hair-thin acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points along that meridian, Chi flow is restored to normal. Because meridians connect every part of the body to every other part, you may find that an acupuncturist will insert needles on your feet or hands in order to treat a headache.