Acupuncture, a non-invasive method of massage therapy, is the insertion of very fine needles on the body's surface, in order to influence physiological functioning of the body. Moxibustion is the treatment of diseases by applying heat to acupuncture points. Acupuncture and Moxibustion are considered complimentary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together. Both of them are effective treatment.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion are practiced medical treatments that are over 5,000 years old. It can be traced back as far as the Stone Age in China, when stone knives and pointed rocks were used to relieve pain and diseases. Later these stones were replaced by needles made of bamboo and slivers of animal bone, then finally in the Shang Dynasty bronze casting techniques made metal needles possible, which conducted electricity (and qi).

By stimulating certain points of the body surface reached by meridians through acupuncture or moxibustion, the flow of qi and blood can be regulated and diseases are thus treated. These stimulation points are called acupuncture points, or acupoints.

In acupuncture clinics, the doctor first selects appropriate acupuncture points along different meridians based on identified health problems. Then very fine and thin needles are inserted into these acupoints. These needles are made of stainless steel vary in length from half an inch to 3 inches. Choosing the needles requires carefulness. It is usually determined by the location of the acupoint and the effects being sought. If the point is correctly located and the required depth reached, the patient will usually experience a feeling of soreness, heaviness, numbness and distention. The needles are usually left in situ for 15-30 minutes. During this time the needles may be manipulated to achieve the effect of tonifying the qi.

Acupuncture and moxibustion can be used in all cases of surgery. They are successful in stopping the pain of surgery without additional anesthetics.

Historically, acupuncture and moxibustion played a major role in the healthcare of the Chinese people and soldiers during their war with Japan and their internal struggles. It was cheap, effective and could be used almost anywhere.

Nowadays, for their effectiveness, acupuncture and moxibustion still are very popular. And this traditional Chinese medicine also spread to the other parts of the world.