It’s hard to make sense of something that’s difficult to make sense of.

Most people who come in for acupuncture do so without really knowing how it works. That’s completely normal. During the initial session, we always take time to explain the premise behind acupuncture—and once it’s explained, it often makes a lot of sense.

At its core, acupuncture is based on the belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. Underlying this healing capacity is an energy called Qi (pronounced chee). We can’t see Qi—it’s an invisible force—but we know it by its effects.

When I think about Qi, I picture what exists beneath all of our bodily functions.
What allows blood to flow through our vessels?
What holds our organs in place?
What allows an arm to move, a sneeze to happen, or a thought to form?
What gives us the ability to feel, think, move—and ultimately, to heal?

That force is Qi. It’s intangible, immeasurable, and invisible—yet clearly at work.

When we experience injury or illness, healing takes time. We can’t rush it. We know this intuitively when we’re sick—we “ride it out.” In today’s fast-paced world, that requires patience. And because we can’t see Qi, we are asked to trust that it’s there, quietly doing its job.

Acupuncture supports and strengthens the natural healing process

It’s truly a whole-body medicine.

I often use the analogy of a tree. If the body is a tree, then our symptoms are the branches. When we want a tree to thrive, we don’t water just one branch—we water the entire tree, especially the roots.

Our bodies work the same way. To truly heal and stay strong, we must care for the whole system. Acupuncture works with Qi to treat both the root and the branch, supporting balance throughout the entire body.

Just as trees need regular care, so do we. This is why ongoing acupuncture can be such an important part of a long-term health and wellness routine—not just something we turn to in crisis.

When to call your acupuncturist

When I was first introduced to acupuncture, I would call my acupuncturist whenever something came up.
A cold? I’d go for one or two sessions, often combined with Chinese herbal medicine, and be back on track quickly.
PMS? Stress and anxiety? Insomnia?
Acupuncture was my first line of defense.

And it still is.

In our busy practice, we see patients with a wide variety of concerns—from acute issues like colds, flu, injuries, and stress, to more chronic conditions such as allergies, sinus issues, repetitive motion injuries, and insomnia.

Choose acupuncture!

More and more people are choosing acupuncture as part of their overall approach to health and wellness. Before reaching for medication, calling in sick, or ignoring a nagging issue, consider giving your acupuncturist a call. Your body may be more capable of healing than you realize.