The Story
It’s time to get to the point of acupuncture.
Are you talking about that thing with the needles?
Yes. But these aren’t just any needles. Acupuncture uses hair-thin needles inserted in specific points on the body called acupuncture points.
How does turning yourself into a pin cushion help?
Acupuncture has thousands of years of cred. It’s an ancient Chinese practice that’s been used to treat everything from headaches and injuries to infertility and stress. It’s based on the idea of Qi.
Say what?
Say it with me: Ch-EE. It’s thought to be an energy life source that flows through the body. It moves along meridians. Think: your body's highways. But sometimes these meridians get blocked. Traffic jam, when you’re already late. Acupuncture’s supposed to help clear the roadblocks and allow energy to flow freely.
What if I don’t really buy this?
Understood. But Western medicine is getting on the acupuncture wagon. theSkimm spoke do Dr. Shari Auth, an acupuncturist from WTHN, who explained how this ancient system works. “Acupuncture works via the connective tissue to send messages to the brain that alter brain chemistry depending on what the body needs. It may increase your body’s natural pain killers such as endorphins...or balance hormone levels for women’s health.”
theSkimm
Acupuncture has an ancient history with a modern following. A little prick can go a long way.
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