Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. A major component of the traditional Chinese health care system, it has been practiced clinically for at least 2500 years and is used widely throughout Asia and Europe today. Acupuncture works with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body's ability to heal itself.

Acupuncture focuses on strengthening the physical condition, harmonizing the emotions, preventing disease, controlling pain, and promoting longevity. The goal of acupuncture treatment goes beyond alleviating or merely masking symptoms; it is to enhance the patient's overall health and quality of life.

While Western medicine is based upon a biochemical model, Oriental medicine is based on an energetic model: a vital energy behind all life forms and functions that the ancient Chinese recognized and labeled "Qi" (pronounced 'chee'). Acupuncture is an important method of balancing and regulating the activity of Qi in the body.