Acupuncture has been practiced in the Far East for thousands of years. Together with herbal therapy, tuina massage, and taiji it forms a comprehensive body of medicine which is collectively known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Central to this system of medicine is the concept of Qi (pronounced 'chee'). Qi permeates everything in life and may be seen as the body's motivating force or energy. Everything that happens or does not happen is because of Qi.
In the body, Qi is concentrated in channels or pathways (the 'jing-luo' in Chinese) that link and unify the entire body- front and back, top and bottom, internal and external, and left and right. When Qi moves through these channels in a smooth and balanced way, both body and mind are healthy.
If Qi is unable to circulate through the channels in a smooth and harmonious manner illness may result from either an execess or deficiency of Qi.