Introduction

Acupuncture has been used in China for more than 3000 years. It is an excellent complement to conventional medicine. Acupuncture comes from the latin words acus – needle and pungere – to pierce. It is a technique of piercing the skin with slender needles at determined foci, called acupuncture points, to prevent or treat diseases.

In Western terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes. Acupuncture can stimulate nerves, relieve pain, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and cause the release of hormones, such as endorphins and cortisol.