Acupuncture originated in China some 4,000 years ago, and due to it's proven effectiveness has been
embraced throughout the world. Only in the last three decades has it become popular in the United States.
In 1993 the Food and Drug Administration estimated that Americans made up to 12 million visits per year to
acupuncture practitioners.

Traditional Chinese medicine holds that there are as many as 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body,
which are connected by 20 pathways (12 main, 8 secondary) called Meridians. These Meridians conduct energy,
or qi (pronounced "chi"), between the surface of the body and its internal organs. Each point has a different
effect on the qi that passes through it.

Qi is believed to help regulate balance in the body. It is influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang.
This represents the positive and negative energy and forces in the universe which is parallel to the human
body. Acupuncture is believed to keep the balance between yin and yang, thus allowing for the normal flow
of qi throughout the body. Thus follows restoration of health to the mind and body.

In modern China, acupuncture is practiced alongside Western medicine in most hospitals. It is an integral part
of Traditional Oriental medicine which includes herbal, acupressure, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle counseling.
The word "acupuncture" comes from two Latin words, "acus" and "punctura". Acus means needle and puntura
means pricking. It describes this ancient Chinese art of healing involving the Insertion of needles into specific
points of the body. These points are called acupuncture points. Oriental and Western medicine compliment
each other and can be integrated to offer optimal health care.

Effectiveness and How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture is excellent for reducing stress and tension. Stress is the cause of many emotional and physical
complaints. Acupuncture treatment is usually carried out by inserting very fine excellent-sterilized disposable
needles into specific points, stimulation and activating the body's self-healing mechanisms.
Several theories have been presented as to exactly how acupuncture works. One theory suggests that pain
impulses are blocked from reaching the spinal cord or brain at various "gates" to these areas. Since a majority
of acupuncture points are either connected to (or are located near) neural structures, this suggests that
acupuncture stimulates the nervous system.

Another theory suggests that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce narcotic-like substances called
endorphins, which reduce pain. Other studies have found that other pain-relieving substances called opiods
may be released into the body during acupuncture treatment. The effectiveness of acupuncture is well
documented as also being effective for emotional and psychological problems.

Does it hurt?
Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are solid and hair-thin, and they are not designed to cut the
skin. They are also inserted to much more shallow levels than hypodermic needles, generally no more than a
half-inch to an inch depending on the type of treatment being delivered. While each person experiences
acupuncture differently, most people feel only a minimal amount of pain as the needles are inserted. Some
people reportedly feel a sensation of excitement, while others feel relaxed. Accupunture treatments: 75 minutes $120 • 90 minutes $145

Facial Rejuvenation with Traditional Chinese Medicine. This is a non-surgical, acupuncture facelift that
regenerates the wrinkled, sagging facial muscles using mircocurrent electricity. This improves muscle tone
and stimulates the skin's natural collagen and elastin production. Facial Rejuvaniation: 60 minutes $95.