Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/484756
20 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | APRIL / MAY 2015 T oday, people of all ages are taking control of their health and seeking the benefits of holistic medicine. Acupuncture and East Asian medicine have prevented and treated illness for more than three thousand years. Acupuncture is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves inserting fine needles through the skin into acupuncture points in the body. An acupuncture point is a functional anatomical site located in the muscles and connective tissue. e needles are manipulated manually for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Our bodies comprise a network of complex bioelectric circuits called meridians. e traditional term to describe the current that travels along these meridians is qi (pronounced chee). Specific acupuncture points along the meridians are stimulated to balance the current and treat pain, illness and dysfunction. Stimulating acupuncture points alters biochemical and physiological conditions and promotes healing in the body. Maintaining the smooth flow of qi throughout our bodies is essential not only for treating pain and illness but also for improving our total well-being. Acupuncture benefits our whole person, not just the illness we are experiencing, and complements other medical care. e flow of qi—and thus your overall health—is affected by internal and external factors in your lifestyle. Toxins from air, water and food; injuries and Wellness By Desiree Merulli, L.Ac., EAMP, LMP, NCCAOM W hy is it that we trust Western medical practices? We present symptoms and are given a prescription. Sometimes the prescription has bad side effects or doesn't work, and we have to try another course or a new medicine. The point is, we realize that one visit to the doctor or one dose of a medicine doesn't immediately resolve most of our health issues. In fact, even if the prescription works for us, it can often take a couple of days or several doses to begin to see improvement. We're OK with that. At the same time, many of us don't trust complementary alternative medical (CAM) practices to work in the same way. Those of us who have undergone a Rolfing series or utilized acupunc- ture treatments know that amazing things have happened. In fact, success stories abound for people who have followed the advice and treatment plans of CAM providers. This article seeks to educate you about acupuncture and its many applications and benefits. The World Health Organization recommends acupuncture for more than 50 health conditions. Our acupunctur- ist, Desiree Merulli, tells us more. Tamela Thomas, Wellness Manager tamelat@wac.net 206.464.4639 The forest for the trees A point of healing In curing from the source, acupuncture offers lasting results L U K E R U TA N