The practice of acupuncture is based on the understanding that a vital energy, referred to as “Qi” (pronounced, “chee”), flows along channels or meridians throughout our bodies. When this Qi becomes blocked or does not flow freely, it can cause disharmony or disease. In order to correct this disharmony, the Qi must be stimulated so that it moves freely again. Acupuncture uses very fine needles to stimulate specific points located on the body, in order to influence the Qi of the body. Stimulating acupuncture points causes both the local area being needled and other, remote areas of the body to be stimulated. The acupuncturist uses an understanding of the flow of Qi and the actions of the various acupuncture points to treat diseases and disharmonies in the body.