Acupuncture is an ancient practice that involves the strategic placement of very fine needles into points on the skin.  These points have an effect on the internal organs and the flow of energy throughout the body along channels or meridians.  This energy that flows through the organs and up and down the meridians is known as Qi (chee).

Acupuncture is used to balance the Qi in the various organs and glands.  If an organ has an excess or a deficiency of energy it is unable to function optimally.  Because all of the organs work together as a team, when one organ is out of balance it will then create imbalances in other organs, if left untreated.

The reason it is so important to keep the Qi balanced in the organs and flowing freely along the meridians is so that the body can function optimally as a whole.  When the organs are balanced and functioning optimally the body can resist disease (physical, mental and emotional), and recover from injuries quickly and completely.  When the organs are not functioning at their best, weaknesses are created which allow disease to "enter the body", leaving one more susceptible to illness and injury.

The organs work together to keep all the cells, tissues, systems, senses, emotions, and each other healthy.  The various organs share the workload as follows:

            ORGANS                                        TISSUES/SYSTEMS       EMOTIONS     SENSE ORGANS

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KIDNEYS & URINARY BLADDER                                                                                        

   Kidneys regulate blood pressure             bones & joints            anxiety              ear

   and govern aging, memory,                      cartilage                      fear

   reproduction & vital energy.                      teeth & nails                worry

   U.B. controls water circulation.                 head hair

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LUNGS & LARGE INTESTINE

   Lungs regulate respiration and                 skin                                        sadness           nose

   blood circulation.                                        body hair                     grief

   Large  Intestine excretes waste.               nails

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LIVER & GALL BLADDER

   Liver stores and regulates blood,            muscle                         anger               eyes

   secretes bile, and transports                    tendon                         frustration

   blood, bile and hormones.                        nails

   G.B. stores bile and controls

   mental activities.

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SPLEEN & STOMACH

   Spleen regulates digestion,                     soft tissues                   all                    mouth

   metabolism and the immune                    the 4 limbs                   emotions

   system, as well as blood circulation.

    Allergies are an indication of a

   Spleen imbalance. 

  Stomach regulates ingestion, digestion

   and transportation of food & liquids.

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HEART, SMALL INTESTINE,

PERICARDIUM & SANJIAO

   Heart and Pericardium work                    blood vessels               joy                 tongue

   together to regulate circulation                 brain & nerves

   of the blood as well as mental

   activities.

   Sanjiao regulates the endocrine

   hormone system and preserves

   homeostasis of the body.  It is
   responsible for gathering mucus and

   other toxins, containing them in the form

   of lumps, bumps, cysts and tumors.

   Small Intestine separates the

   essence from the waste of food

   and transports the latter to the

   Large Intestine.

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As you can see it is in one's best interest to keep the organs balanced and functioning optimally.  Exposure to everyday modern life (stress, pollution and inadequate nutrition) are all it takes to create an imbalance in one or more of the organs.  Here are some examples of how imbalances in the organs can cause one to become ill or susceptible to injury:

(1)  A stressful job may cause one to feel frustrated or angry.  These emotions then create an imbalance in the liver or gall bladder which then expresses itself in the form of tension, pain, or weakness of the muscles, and perhaps eye disorders.

(2)  Worrying over finances or the fate of a loved one may cause one to begin to suffer from joint disease, blood pressure irregularities, and graying or loss of hair, all a result of imbalanced kidneys created by the emotions of fear and anxiety.

(3)  Pollution, which can create an imbalance in any of the organs, may throw the lungs into a state of imbalance which can surface in the form of a skin problem and/or depression.

(4)  An imbalance in the heart created by imbalances in other organs can cause one to suffer from a lack of joy.  Or, a work-a-holic who denies oneself joy may suffer from heart disease, or insomnia due to excessive mental activity at bedtime (a symptom of a heart imbalance). 

Although we are continually exposed to a variety of toxins and situations that create imbalances in the vital organs, there is no reason to fret.  We do have a way to keep small imbalances from becoming larger, problematic ones.  A healthy diet*, regular excercise, receiving acupuncture treatments or other energetic therapies as a regular form of maintenance, and last but certainly not least, keeping a positive attitude will help you to maintain healthy balanced organs for a healthy balanced life.

As for explaining why it is that sticking needles into points along invisible meridians has an effect on the organs, the scientific world cannot yet explain.  All we know is that it works, and we can be thankful that it is so.  Why wouldn't our creator provide such a system?

We can see the effects of energy, yet we cannot see the energy itself.  By witnessing its effects we know that energy exists.

*  A truely healthy diet consists of plenty of fresh fruit (eaten on an empty stomach), vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.  Animal products, if eaten, should be limited, and free of growth hormones and/or antibiotics.  And, it is best to abstain from processed foods and drinks.  Fresh fruit juice and water that is purified by reverse osmosis are healthy alternatives to soft drinks.