Acupuncture is a medical modality, originating from China, with a 5000 year old history. It is a method of inserting sterile, disposable needles into specific acupuncture points to encourage the body to promote its own natural healing ability and to improve overall bodily function. Many people have only heard about Acupuncture for pain management however, Chinese medicine is a complete and comprehensive medical system with the ability to diagnose, treat, and most importantly prevent disease. Acupuncturists are trained in Chinese Medicine as well as Western Medicine, allowing for these practitioners to work closely with Medical Doctors and within the western diagnostic system. The treatment differs in that Chinese Medicine practitioners are trained to get to the root of disease by treating with herbal formulas and natural remedies to promote the body’s own healing ability.

Chinese Medicine is known to have its origins in Ayurvedic Medicine (medicine from India). Ayurveda translates as the ‘science of life’, representing a balance of the whole body matrix of mind, body, and spirit. The idea is that an imbalance of one of these leads to disease or disorder within the system. Both of these ancient medicines look at nature as the representation of order and harmony. As we follow the cycles of nature, and act in congruence with the changing of the seasons, we can then establish a reflection of synchronicity between the body and our surrounding environment. If yin and yang (also known as The Tao), represent this state of balance, it is also important to notice that balance comes from a blending of these two opposite poles. In life, there is a continuous alternation of every phenomenon (hot vs. cold, day vs. night, happy vs. sad, etc). Since one is constantly changing into another, balance can only be achieved for a nanosecond. For example, is a glass ever half empty and half full at the same time? By the time you count the water molecules, it has already changed through condensation. Everything in life, including our bodies can thus be summarized by this theory. Balance is obtained through the additions of some elements and the reduction of other elements. This is the reason why Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are so effective.

Acupuncture came before X-rays, pharmaceuticals and machines. Our bodies are made of energy at a cellular level, in which positive and negative ions are constantly firing in order to have specific bodily functions to be regulated, such as heartbeat, metabolic rate, and digestion. The Chinese knew this long ago, as they discovered over 360 acupuncture points where small vortexes of energy existed all over the body. The points run along specific channels and these energetic channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up and causes stagnation. The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points since each meridian corresponds to a particular body organ. It works by unblocking the obstructions at the dams where the energy is stagnating, and reestablishes the regular flow of Qi, or energy. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances in digestion, absorption, and energy production. Acupuncture is now being backed by scientific evidence, whereby needling a series of acupuncture points has proven to stimulate the nervous system. This results in the release of excitatory signals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These signals send a message to the brain to block the feeling of pain in the thalamus. Acupuncture also sends a signal to the hypothalamus to release endorphins (the happy neurotransmitters) in the brain which produces a euphoric feeling. Not only does the patient experience a release of pain, but they become very relaxed and ‘naturally high’ from the biochemical changes that are taking place.

Acupuncture has been proven to be highly effective for physical ailments such as colds, coughs, flus, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, migraines, allergies, digestive problems, etc. However, it is also highly effective for any type of psychological, emotional or spiritual imbalance. The medicine is extremely diverse in its ability to bring the body back to harmony. People who have undergone treatments have reported a sense of euphoria that has not been experienced otherwise. Aspen Club members have claimed that through the use of acupuncture, they are stronger and healthier than they have ever been. I invite you to come in and experience the amazing healing abilities of Chinese Medicine and allow yourself to relax after a long ski day/work week. This is the best ‘Rocky Mountain High’ you can get!