Restore Energy Flow with Acupuncture
I remember accompanying my mother to her doctor when I was a child and staring at a row of extremely thin needles soaking in isopropyl alcohol. At the time, acupuncture was still rarely practiced in Western medicine. The doctor was clearly ahead of her time, and my mother was always eager to explore alternative therapies.
My mother would lie on the treatment table while the doctor gently inserted several needles across her scalp, face and body. It didn’t seem painful—just unusual.
Years later, that memory made me curious to experience acupuncture for myself. In my mid-twenties, when I felt the need to improve my energy levels and become more attuned to my body’s needs, I finally tried it. I never looked back.
Today I turn to acupuncture for many things—from releasing muscle tension and easing headaches to supporting recovery during the flu. I find it both beneficial and deeply relaxing, largely because it works on the central nervous system to rebalance the body’s vital energy, or Qi.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. It is mentioned in the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine), one of the foundational texts of Chinese medicine believed to date back to around 300 BCE.
While acupuncture has ancient roots, it began gaining recognition in Western medicine in the 1960s as a complementary therapy for pain management and overall wellness. Today, a growing body of scientific research supports its role in relieving pain, reducing stress and promoting balance in the body.
At the heart of Traditional Chinese Medicine is the belief that health depends on the harmonious balance of Yin and Yang—opposing yet complementary forces that regulate the body. Disease can arise when this balance is disrupted, whether through aging, lifestyle factors or environmental influences.
Acupuncture aims to restore this balance by stimulating specific points along the body’s 12 primary meridians, pathways through which Qi (vital energy) flows. In Western anatomical terms, many of these pathways correspond to the body’s connective tissue and fascia networks, which interact with nerves, blood vessels and electrical signaling in the skin.
Very thin needles inserted in specific trigger points can unlock energy channel.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
During a session, hair-thin sterile needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points throughout the body. There are roughly 2,000 acupuncture points, located from the top of the head to the soles of the feet.
The insertion of these needles stimulates nerve endings and increases circulation in the targeted area, encouraging the body to activate its natural healing response. The central nervous system then releases a range of biochemical compounds.
These include:
Beta-endorphins, natural pain-relieving opioids that help reduce inflammation
Serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters associated with mood balance and wellbeing
Oxytocin, sometimes called the “feel-good” hormone, which promotes relaxation
Through these mechanisms, acupuncture may help support a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain such as back pain and sciatica, headaches and migraines, digestive disorders such as gastritis, but also stress and anxiety, hormonal imbalances and fertility issues and respiratory conditions like bronchitis
Why I Keep Coming Back to Acupuncture
Personally, I find acupuncture almost painless and incredibly restorative. I often recommend it to anyone dealing with chronic back pain or sciatica, but also to those looking to reduce stress or support their immune system during seasonal illnesses.
A typical session lasts about 30 minutes, and for me it has become a moment of deep relaxation—almost like a reset for both body and mind.
After a treatment, I often enjoy a warm Golden Latte from Clever, made with calming adaptogens like ashwagandha and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as turmeric—the perfect complement to an acupuncture session.
If you’re curious about acupuncture, seek out a licensed practitioner and experience it for yourself. You may discover, as I did, that this ancient practice offers a powerful way to restore balance, improve energy flow and support overall wellbeing.
