What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment that uses very thin steel needles inserted into your skin to stimulate specific points throughout your body, including your back, neck, head, and face. The goal of acupuncture is to relieve a health condition or symptom, such as pain. The practice comes from traditional Chinese medicine. Scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness for some conditions. Acupuncture is mainly a supplemental therapy. You may need other medical treatments to help relieve your health issues.

How does acupuncture work?

Chinese medicine calls the energy that flows through your body qi. Chinese medicine practitioners believe qi disruptions create imbalances in your body’s energy that lead to illness.

Some forms of Chinese Medicine in Milliken aim to rebalance qi with needles that touch acupuncture points (acupoints) throughout your body. There are hundreds of acupoints in your body along 14 major meridians, also called energy-carrying channels.

The needles stimulate your body’s central nervous system and immune system to:

React to an illness or symptom.

Rebalance your body.

Release natural chemicals, such as endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers, and neurotransmitters, chemicals that control nerve impulses.

What happens during an acupuncture treatment?

During your first appointment, your acupuncturist will talk to you about your condition. Then, they’ll examine your body for areas that’ll react to Acupuncture in Milliken. Your acupuncturist will tap the needles into points in your skin throughout your body.

The acupuncture needles are sterile, disposable, and as thin as a human hair. Your acupuncturist inserts needles at various depths, from a fraction of an inch to a couple of inches.