Since the 1970s, acupuncture has become known to a wider audience in the Western world. For about 3,000 years, it has been highly valued in China as an effective treatment for pain, functional and mental disorders, as well as for harmonizing the immune system. Today, even conventional medicine has recognized the gentle healing power of traditional Chinese acupuncture and has incorporated it into its range of treatments. Acupuncture is recognized as a therapy for many complaints, and it is often combined with conventional therapies. Scientists worldwide are researching how tiny acupuncture needles can help alleviate migraines, allergies, or even paralysis.
The Chinese teachings themselves explain the effect of acupuncture (the term is derived from the Latin words acus, meaning "needle," and pungere, meaning "to prick"). These teachings are based on a view of human beings that differs significantly from our scientifically oriented perspective. While Western medicine measures health through measurable factors such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or electrocardiograms, from a Chinese perspective, health is determined by the life energy called Qi. Qi flows through the body along energy pathways called meridians, touching the surface of the skin at over 700 points. When the flow of Qi is harmonious, a person is healthy. On the other hand, illness and pain are expressions of disharmony in the flow of Qi. They can be caused by external or internal factors such as cold, heat, improper nutrition, or even psychological factors.