Acupuncture is a complete medical system that originated in China between two and five thousand years ago. It is based on the concept that QI (pronounced chee) flows through and is a part of all living things. Qi is a chinese word that has been translated as “breaths,” “life force,” or simply “energy.” The literal translation is difficult to pin down since written Chinese uses pictograms to encapsulate ideas, and we all know how many words a picture is worth! Ancient Greek provides us with a more familiar concept: “pneuma.”  It is used to form the words pneumonia and pneumatics. The common element in these concepts is the movement of something that can neither be seen nor measured directly. However, the effects of that movement are obvious to the observant.
 
Breath flows through all living things, as does Qi: nourishing, warming, uplifting, and providing a basis for all the functions of life. Acupuncturists have mapped out the flow of Qi in channels that they call meridians. There are specific places along these channels called acupuncture points which, when stimulated, enhance the body’s natural healing capacity. The result is vitality, tranquility and robust health.