The history of the 6000-year acupuncture curriculum reveals a body of knowledge remaining stable through the centuries, though freshly translated into the modern languages of each generation. Even today the curriculum is a reliable modern version of ancient ideas and understandings about the underlying causes and effective ways to treat pain and most symptoms. “The enduring value of acupuncture lies in its ability to treat the underlying causes of a chronic pain, not just the pain itself,” says Ingri Boe-Wiegaard, LAC, who has 25 years of experience as an acupuncturist. “With regard to back pain, acupuncture takes into account causal factors that are not immediately obvious, and so two meridians on the back and side of the body, referred to as BL and GB meridians, may be treated. They directly affect the flow of energy and information along the nerve pathways from the spine and into nearby muscles and tendons. Muscle spasms caused by focused ongoing work, working out, stress, and diet issues can aggravate tension and cause pain. Acupuncture often gives relief and improvement even after the first treatment, though several other visits may be encouraged. Further acupuncture treatments will clear more of the deeper layers of stress and tension that reside in the back muscles and tissue structures, where many years have layered many memory patterns and “information packets.” Acupuncture reduces the intensity of those patterns, giving relief by relaxing the tissue structure that may be irritating nerves.” Acupuncture also works well with other approaches to healing, including physical therapy, chiropractic, yoga, massage, diet improvements and meditation.

Ingri Boe-Wiegaard, LAc. has offices in Fairfield, Wilton and Bethel. Visit ctAcupuncture.com for more information.