Bladder Meridian with Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture developed over a 3,000 year period, as practitioners observed the effects of needling different points on the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theorizes that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body, and that these connect through 12 main and 8 secondary pathways called meridians. These meridians conduct energy, or chi (pronounced "chee"), throughout the body.

Chi is believed to regulate spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang. According to TCM, when yin and yang are balanced, they work together with the natural flow of chi to help the body achieve and maintain health. Acupuncture balances yin and yang, keeps the normal flow of chi energy unblocked, and restores health to the body and mind.

Traditional Chinese medicine practices including acupuncture, herbs, diet, and physical therapies and exercises, are intended to improve the flow of chi. Western scientists have found meridians hard to identify because meridians do not directly correspond to nerve or blood circulation pathways. Some researchers have found that meridians are located throughout the body's connective tissue, and can be measured electro-magnetically. The concept of chi energy is difficult for many westerners to appreciate and understand and so differences of opinion have made acupuncture an area of scientific controversy. The clinically observed effects of acupuncture, however, demonstrate its benefit to improving health and resolving pain.

At the clinic we only use only stainless steel disposable needles, so there is no risk of infection. The procedure is relatively painless, with the small, round tipped needles being inserted in various parts of the body at acupuncture point sites.

Studies of the Naturopathic approach to treating low back pain, including acupuncture, have demonstrated statistically significant benefits.

This study concluded that Naturopathic treatment was shown to have significant (95% CI) benefit in decreasing disability and pain due to chronic low back pain. Pain medication use was significantly reduced, and quality of life measures dramatically improved. The most significant changes occur within the first 4 weeks of Naturopathic treatment. In this industrialized setting, it appears that not only were Naturopathic treatments effective, but an individualized approach to back pain resulted in greater benefits compared with a physiotherapy equivalent previously shown to be effective.

Cooley PK, Szczurko O, Bernhardt B, Busse J, Seely D, Mills E; Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Blinded Parallel-group Study; The Effects of Naturopathic Medicine on Health Outcomes in Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Blinded Parallel-group Study, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Trial