New Developments in Color Therapy: Acupuncture Meridians Facilitate the Body's Absorption of Light / Acupuncture is well known worldwide as an effective treatment to facilitate healing. It is best known in the West in the treatment of pain and addictions. Historically, since its inception in China several thousand years ago, it has equally been utilized

Acupuncture is well known worldwide as an effective treatment to facilitate healing. It is best known in the West in the treatment of pain and addictions. Historically, since its inception in China several thousand years ago, it has equally been utilized in internal medicine. The traditional theory of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is a complex and coherent one, unifying all body systems, and the physical with the mental/emotional. Scientific studies verifying the affects of acupuncture abound, although scientific explanation for the mechanism of action remains elusive. The traditional theory states that Qi (chee), or vital energy is the animating force behind life, the cosmic forces of Nature, and is the root of all things. It is said that if one stays in touch with Qi, ones life will be healthy in all its phases.

Traditional acupuncturists apply the simple and yet complex theories of Qi to treat a wide range of ailments including pain, chronic illness such as asthma, functional problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, hormonal imbalances (PMS, menopause, infertility), and autoimmune disease. The goal is to reestablish balance within the flow of Qi, so the body will heal itself. The National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine has funded a number of studies on acupuncture. The recent NIH consensus panel concluded that acupuncture is safe, effective for certain conditions, and should be integrated into standard medical practice.

Acupuncture is traditionally accomplished through insertion of very fine needles at the acupuncture points, located along the meridians -- pathways along which Qi travels, connecting the surface of the body energetically with the internal organs. The acupuncture points are more electrically conductive, i.e., exhibit less electrical resistance when tested by a galvanometer. Stimulation by any means thereby produces a polarity or electrical gradient, facilitating electromagnetic conduction, or movement of Qi.