acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the five main modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and involves the use of fine metal needles to stimulate, soothe or balance the body's energy flow. This often has the effect of curing a large spectrum of illnesses and diseases. The energy involved in acupuncture, Qi (Chi) is believed by Chinese medicine practitioners to directly influence a person's health. By placing the acupuncture needles on specified points of the meridians and channels of the energetic body, the flow of the qi is regulated. Depending upon the angle and depth of insertion, the energy may be increased, decreased or balanced out. A related practice, moxibustion (moxabustion), involves the application of burning sticks or pieces of moxa, or mugwort, on or near acupuncture points with the goal of once again modifying the body's energy flows. So-called "needle-less acupuncture" is merely acupressure - applying pressure with fingers to acupuncture / acupressure points to modify the flow of chi. Most US states have licensing requirements to practice acupuncture. To become an acupuncturist requires several years of training at an accredited school, in addition to passing the state tests.