Acupuncture
According to Chinese medicine the human body is permeated by a complex network of channels through which qi (commonly translated as “life force”) circulates to reach and nourish every part of the body and regulate its function. Along these meridians are acupuncture points through which the flow of qi inside the body can be reached and regulated with acupuncture needles. The goal of an acupuncture treatment is to restore balance of qi to promote self-healing.
Science has so far not achieved a conclusive understanding of the mechanisms of acupuncture. It is suspected that acupuncture modulates the transmission of impulses through the interstitial space and along structures such as nerves, blood vessels, skin and bones and thus affects self-regulatory systems in the body including the nervous and hormone systems. However, these investigations are still incomplete and many aspects of the mechanism of action are still poorly understood. Chinese doctors over the centuries were mostly concerned with empirically observing and refining the effectiveness of their treatments.