What is the theory behind acupuncture and moxibustion?
The use of acupuncture in managing acute and chronic pain and it’s use in place of, or in conjunction with, chemical anesthetics in surgery is becoming commonly known in the United States. But the ancient Chinese medical practices of acupuncture and moxibustion have been used for over 4,000 years, not only for pain management, but also in the prevention and treatment of a broad range of diseases and for maintenance of general health and enhancement of stamina. Chinese medicine delineates 14 meridians in the human body, called the conceptual channels, and numerous associated collateral branches. These meridians and their branches constitute a network that interconnects all the tissues and organs of the body. Twelve of the 14 meridians are associated with 12 specific organs, and the meridians can be classified as yin or yang in nature. A key idea in Chinese medicine is that of qi (pronounced chi). This invisible force manifests in the human body as an energy flow which circulates to all
