Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that has been practiced for centuries. It's based on the theory that energy, called qi or chi (say "chee"), flows through and around your body along pathways called meridians.

Illness occurs when something blocks or unbalances your chi. Acupuncture is a way to unblock or influence chi and help it flow back into balance.

Acupuncture is done by putting very thin needles into your skin at certain points on your body. This is done to influence the energy flow. Sometimes heat, pressure, or mild electrical current is used along with needles.