Home > What Is Acupuncture? What Is Acupuncture? Traditional acupuncture is a system of natural healing which has been used successfully by a large section of the world's population for upwards of 3,000 years. Although its origins are ancient, it is subject to continuous review and is as beneficial today as it was to people in the early Oriental cultures. It is a non-invasive system of medicine which enables the body, mind and spirit to heal itself, as far as nature will allow. In Chinese medicine, any illness or symptom, either physical, mental or of the spirit, is associated with an imbalance of the person's vital life energy or Qi. When the body sends out distress signals in the form of any symptom it is a sign that there is an imbalance of qi, which must be rebalanced to restore health. By accurately diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of disease, acupuncture heals the body from within and makes it possible for symptoms to gradually fade away. This principle of traditional acupuncture is important because it means that the underlying cause of disease is addressed, rather than the symptom merely being swept under the carpet only to reappear in the future. By working to restore the overall balance of energy, traditional acupuncture may also help to increase a general feeling of well being, promoting an improved quality of life.