A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine demonstrated that acupuncture is a more effective way of treating chronic low back pain than the standard conventional treatments of medication and physical therapy.  Clearly, this finding is noteworthy in and of itself.  It was the largest study on acupuncture for lower back pain done in this country.  If acupuncture works better than the current standard plan of care, shouldn't it become THE treatment of choice, rather than considered merely a "complementary and alternative treatment?"

 But what intrigued me about the study was that one of the control groups had toothpicks applied to acupuncture points rather than have needles inserted.  That group also experienced "clinically meaningful" improvements." To me, this serves to illustrate that the healing magic is not in the needle: it's in the point. The body has an innate wisdom and capacity for self-healing, and a point is place where the body's energy is concentrated. Points, just like organs, all have different jobs.  So as long as you're stimulating an appropriate point, the body doesn't care whether your medium is a needle, a toothpick, your thumb, a laser, a magnet, or an essential oil. The body knows what to do. 

This is an important point (pun intended) because it underscores the importance of self-care.  If you stimulate an acupuncture point or meridian, the body will respond.  How can you do this easily, without spending hundreds of hours memorizing point locations and Chinese Medical theory? Simply do qigong. In qigong practice, you activate your meridians and points to encourage the body to heal itself.  If you'd like to take a more active role in your self care, join me for Qigong Drop-In Classes Wednesdays in June, 7-8 PM at Cedar and Fir Studio, 3204 NW Grant Ave, $11 to drop-in or $40 for all 4.  Be well!