Acupuncture or Needling Therapy is a traditional form of oriental medicine which originated in China and is practiced by therapists all over the world. A component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Acupuncture is commonly used to treat pain or illness by inserting very fine needles at specific points on the skin, which are located near nerve endings. The word Acupuncture is derived from the Latin words 'acus' meaning needle and ‘punctura’ meaning to puncture.

Acupuncture is based on the theory that energy, called chi (pronounced 'chee'), flows through and around the body along pathways called meridians. In this system, it is believed that illness occurs when something blocks or unbalances the chi. Acupuncture is a way to unblock or influence chi and help it flow back into balance. It involves stimulating specific acupuncture points on the body. Acupuncture is done by putting very thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body. This is done to influence the energy flow. Sometimes heat, pressure, or mild electrical current is used along with needles. The insertion of thin, metallic, solid needles at the acupuncture points produces a wide variety of effects in the body of the patient. It helps to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of vital energy through the body and the various internal systems, of the patient. The effect of acupuncture may involve stimulation of nerves in the skin and muscles, which helps to restore imbalance of energy, stimulation of the immune system, release natural painkillers, release hormones called endorphins in the brain, which block pain.