Acupuncture is the insertion of sterile hair-like needles into specific acupuncture points of the body. There are 12 main channels, 8 additional channels and a number of micro-channels through which Qi (pronounced Chee and sometimes written as Chi) and blood travel. Qi is often translated from Chinese to English as "vital energy." This vital energy is constantly flowing throughout the body and is considered our life force. As we face day-to-day stress or severe illness, the flow of Qi becomes stagnant or blocked in various channels. When Qi is blocked we become ill, have pain, stiffen and often become restless or discontent. Acupuncture works to re-harmonize the flow of Qi or blood enabling the body to heal and the mind to relax.

At Mountain Spring we only use sterile, single-use needles which are often reported by patients to be relatively painless. After insertion the needles are commonly stimulated to entice the flow of Qi, at which point patients might feel a dull achy sensation which dissipates over time. Unfortunately, for most people the only introduction to needles they have is through the withdrawal of blood. Acupuncture needles are nothing like the larger needles many patients are familiar with. Thus, due to their size most patients only feel a slight pinch upon insertion, and nothing more. Occasional minor brusing may occur.