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Traditional Eastern Medicine is a centuries old holistic medicine practice which takes into account all components of a person’s lifestyle, habits, and history. Examines these components and determines where imbalances have developed and certain disorders have arisen. TEM will then determine which types of treatments will be the most effective for the patient, which can include acupuncture, moxibustion (a type of burning herbal treatment often used in conjunction with acupuncture), cupping (an ancient form of healing in which a local suction is created on the skin), herbal medicine, nutritional counselling, and lifestyle advice.

Key medical organizations, such as The World Health Organization, recommends acupuncture as a treatment for many conditions, including headaches, body pain, osteoarthritis, painful menstruation, menopause, infertility, anxiety, depression, digestive issues and others.

To answer this question, consider both Eastern and Western perspectives.

Eastern Medicine perspective
Acupuncture is based on the ancient theory that our body’s energy (including blood) flows through distinct meridians or pathways that cover the body. When the natural flow of blood and energy is impeded, pain and illness can occur. Traditional Chinese Medicine theory states that acupuncture (among other modalities of treatment) can remove blockages in the body pathways thereby allowing for a restored and natural flow of blood and energy.

Western science perspective
You may consider meridians and pathways in part, comparable to the way nerves, blood vessels and muscle tissues are aligned throughout the human body. Through needling, specific acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles and brain, including endorphins and other neurotransmitters. By triggering these natural based chemicals the experience of pain is altered which can also leads to stimulation of the body’s natural healing abilities promoting physical and emotional well-being.