Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine that originated in China more than 5,000 years ago. It is based on the belief that living beings have a vital energy, called Qi ("chee"), which circulates through 12 invisible energy lines, known as meridians, on the body. Each meridian is associated with a different organ system, and there are more than 1,000 acupuncture points on the body. An imbalance in the flow of Qi throughout a meridian is how pain and disease begin.

Acupuncturists insert needles into specified points along meridian lines to restore balance to the flow of Qi, boosting the body's overall immune and organ systems and enhancing its natural ability to heal itself.

Acupuncture is one of the best-known alternative therapies. It treats existing illnesses and injuries, prevents new illnesses, and improves overall health. In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reclassified acupuncture needles from "experimental" to "medical device." That same year, it was endorsed by the National Institutes of Health as an effective treatment for a variety of conditions.