Western acupuncture is focused on releasing muscle tension by treating specific trigger points and stimulating the healing process where it may be naturally poor in areas such as the junction between tendons or ligaments and bone. The process involves the insertion of fine needles through the skin deep into the underlying fibrous scar tissue in which general massage palpation may not be able to directly impact. This will aid the break down and increase blood flow and oxygen to the area. Traditional acupuncture involves the insertion of the fine needles into acu-points situated on 12 lines of energy around the body called Meridians. This is based on the belief that energy (life force) flows through the body known as Qi. Acupuncturists who adhere to traditional beliefs about acupuncture state that when Qi cannot flow freely through the body illness can be caused and subequent acupuncture is needed to restore the flow and thus restore health.
