What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture treatment is a preventative, alleviative, or therapeutic act against disease in which a needle is inserted into one of many specific points on the exterior of the body known as an Acupoint.

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According to Korean medicine, the activities of life take place in response to the flow of Qi and Blood and disease is a manifestation of an imbalance between yin and yang, which arise from an abnormality in Qi and Blood flow. Acupuncture treatment aims to recover the circulation of qi and yin-yang imbalance and cure diseases by stimulating acupoint related to the diseased part. An acupoint, in essence, is a reactive point and diagnostic point that reflects the pathological state of the body surface and internal organs, and a treatment point into which the acupuncture needle is inserted. At present, stainless steel is used to manufacture needles used in the treatment as stainless needle protects against rust and heat. Needles are sterilized, individually packaged prior to usage and promptly disposed thereafter.

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Acupuncture is an accredited medical procedure that is performed by a licensed Korean Medical doctor under the national medical system in Korea. However, in the West, acupuncture has only been introduced recently and is currently outside the official medical systems. To date, acupuncture has been shown to be effective for diseases such as chronic pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, radiotherapy-induced nausea, acute pain including dental pain, headache, hypertension, COPD, and seasonal allergic rhinitis. The study for the efficacy of acupuncture for stroke, depression, fibromyalgia, functional dyspepsia, schizophrenia and smoking is currently underway. Adverse effects or complications are rare from acupuncture treatment.

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If you have any specific questions regarding acupuncture, feel free to ask Dr. Jo during your visit.