Several thousand years ago, Chinese physicians discovered that Chi, the vital force, circulates throughout the body along fourteen major channels, twelve of which are duplicated on the left and right sides of the body. The two other major channels are located in the center of the body, one in the front, the other in the back. And there are a number of so-called Extra Channels and Miscellaneous Channels throughout the body. Today, English-speaking acupuncturists usually call the channels "meridians."

Meridians form a highly-complex invisible network transporting and directing Chi to every part of the body including the head, arms, legs, torso, organs and systems. Good health, Chinese sages of old discovered, depends on a balanced circulation of Chi throughout the meridians.

One English translation of the word Chi means energy, and though Chi is invisible, its presence becomes especially apparent in the workings of the bodily organs and systems which require prodigious amounts of energy. Yet the Chinese view Chi not only as powering a function, they see it as inseparable from function as though there’s no Chi without function and no function without Chi.

Chi is also known as the life force, and since the total absence of Chi is death, obviously one’s good health depends on a balanced distribution of Chi throughout the meridian network that influences the organs as well as the bodily systems: skeletal, muscular, endocrine (glands), circulatory, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, and nervous. When Chi flows smoothly and harmoniously throughout the meridians, each bodily system and organ interacts with and affects all the other systems and organs, which in turn are interdependent, interrelated, and integrated.

Reiki (ray-key) is a natural healing technique that feels like a flow of a high frequency of energy into and through a practitioner, and out the hands into another person.  In Western translation however, the word Reiki is seen as being made up of two Japanese words - Rei and Ki. Literally, taken one word at a time, Rei can mean supernatural force or spiritual intelligence; Ki can mean life energy. Thus Reiki is often described in the West as "spiritually guided life force energy". However, in Japanese, words must be taken together and in the context of their use to understand their actual meaning and intention.

A standard Reiki treatment includes placing the hands above, or on, the head, shoulders, stomach and feet. In addition, other positions may be used for specific conditions the client may have. As in other forms of energy healing, a Reiki practitioner can also "send" a treatment to another person who is not in the same room or location. This is usually called Distant Reiki.

In oriental cultures, healing disciplines like Reiki may be applied to healthy people as a preventative method. However, Reiki may also be used to assist you in returning to a state of health.

The principle of Yin /Yang in Chinese philosophy is simple. Originally, the "Yang" was the sunny side of a slope, and the "Yin" was the shady side of the slope. These terms are used to describe any item in nature. When the two forces are in balance, the item being described is in its natural state. If Yang is described as "hot", the Yin must be described as "cold"; if Yang is "outside", then Yin is "inside"; if Yang is "up", then Yin is "down"; if Yang is the "head" of a coin, Yin is the "tail" of the coin, etc.

It is important to realize that Yin and Yang are not separate items, they always appear together when speaking about the principles of Yin/Yang. Since one is opposite, yet complementary of the other, one cannot appear without the other. In fact, the presence of one without equal amounts of the other is exactly what Acupuncture and Acupressure is designed to correct. When there is a condition in the body where the Yang force is excessive, then an acupoint that either reduces the Yang of this force, or an acupoint that increases the Yin of this force is stimulated.

Either of these treatments will balance the two forces of Yin and Yang, thus bringing the body back into its natural "balance" or state of homeostasis. When the body is in a state of homeostasis, it is considered healthy. The selection of what acupoints to use and whether to increase or decrease forces in the body is difficult and why acupuncturists go through rigorous training, and have access to thousands of case studies.

Moxibustion (Moxa + combustion) is a heat application treatment on the acupuncture points with the use of a herb called "moxa".

In moxibustion, usually a grain-size cone of moxa or dry yellow spongy substance made from a herbal plant "mugwort " is placed on the acupoints and lit with an incense stick. The burning moxa is then pinched out or taken away by the therapist before it burns down completely to the skin. The patient experiences a very comfortable sensation of heat that penetrates deep into the skin (Direct moxibustion).

Another popular way of using moxa is to burn a moxa cone on the head of inserted acupuncture needles, or use a cigar-type stick moxa to warm the acupuncture points at a distance (Indirect moxibustion).

Benefits of Direct Moxibustion:

Moxibustion in general has more or less the same efficacy as acupuncture. However, medical experiments have shown that moxibustion exerts much wider and stronger effect on overall biochemical changes in the body than acupuncture. For example:

• It increases the production of white blood cells.
• It increases the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin.
• It improves the overall blood and lymph circulation.
• It can be used as a home therapy.