Acupuncture, one of the traditional Chinese arts of healing, is said to be more than 5000 years old. The basis of Acupuncture is the theory that the body has an energy force running throughout it (known as Qi, roughly pronounced Chee). Qi travels through the body along very specific pathways called "meridians." These pathways can become obstructed, deficient, excessive, or just unbalanced causing illness. Acupuncture treatment is carried out by inserting fine needles into the skin at specific points along these meridians.

The effect of the needles is to restore the balance of the patients’ energy and thereby improve health. When the needle is inserted, the patient may feel nothing or a sensation akin to a minor insect bite. Any discomfort usually subsides within a few seconds after insertion. The sensation after the needles are inserted varies widely from no feeling at all to mild aching or more intense feelings. Acupuncture treatment both addresses specific symptoms and has an overall effect of making patients feel better after treatment.

Acupuncture is effective at curing various diseases, some of which are resistant to conventional methods of treatment. Although, in the U.S., acupuncture is most commonly associated with treating pain (it is even used as an anesthetic agent for some surgical procedures), it is an effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions both acute and chronic, mental and physical. In addition to being free from side effects commonly encountered in drug therapy, acupuncture is simple, safe, and effective.

Acupuncture Training

In the State of Oregon, acupuncturists must either graduate from an accredited acupuncture program, or must already have at least 5 years of clinical acupuncture experience. After meeting this criteria, they must then get NCCAOM certification in acupuncture to practice in the State of Oregon. For more details about acupuncture licensing please see http://www.bme.state.or.us/.