From its inception in China more than 2,500 years ago, acupuncture has been used traditionally to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as well as to improve general health. Acupuncture is a complementary medical practice that entails stimulating certain points on the body, most often with a thin needle penetrating the skin.

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is linked to the belief that disease is caused by disruptions to the flow of energy, or qi, in the body. When qi energy is flowing smoothly, the body is in balance. When qi energy flow is slowed down or blocked, then physical and emotional illness often results. Acupuncture is said to modify the flow of energy throughout the body.

Dr. David Feinstein shows Tom North how to tap on acupressure points
to release stress and relieve pain.

Acupuncture can help ease emotional disorders including anxiety and depression, relieve nausea and vomiting, can be beneficial for pain due to an injury or associated with chronic degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and help ease migraines.

Acupressure is a self-help therapy and personal first aid method which is derived from acupuncture. It uses the same principles and meridian points as acupuncture. There are hundreds of acupressure points on the body. In acupressure, instead of needling, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the hand, fingers, elbow, etc.

It is believed that by rebalancing body qi, acupressure and acupuncture may slow down the aging process and improve skin health, blood flow, oxygenation and immune function.

Both therapies are also effective for animals.