What is Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine?

hands needling forearm  

Acupuncture

Acupuncturists use multiple techniques:

  • Treatment involving ultra-fine needles
  • Therapeutic application of heat (moxibustion)
  • Vacuum pressure (cupping)
  • Electrical current (electroacupuncture)
  • Chinese massage (tui na)
  • Chinese exercise system (tai ji)

These and other techniques are taught in our Master of Acupuncture and Master of Oriental Medicine degree programs.

student in herbal dispensary    

Oriental Medicine

Oriental Medicine identifies the unique pattern of disharmony in each patient and then builds a unique, individualized treatment. Oriental Medicine uses Chinese herbs, hundreds of substances and thousands of formulas.

Our Master of Oriental Medicine students gain proficiency in this system in addition to the techniques of the Master of Acupuncture program.

Qi - the basis of Chinese healing arts

Chinese medical philosophy holds that all life is sustained by the constant flow of an energy called “qi” (pronounced “chee”). The qi of the body is connected to the qi of nature—and illness occurs when the two are out of harmony. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine restore health by strengthening the body’s qi and enhancing its flow.

Chinese medical knowledge is built on the experiences of thousands of practitioners over many centuries. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine continue to evolve as they collect new experiences in the modern world.

In modern China and increasingly in the West, scientific research is playing a critical role in the future growth and development of both acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

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