Acupuncture helps re-establish the correct flow of energy along the body's meridian channels: essentially, it helps get your insides sorted out so that your outside can be healed in the long term.

"New thoughts and new truths go through three stages. First, they are ridiculed and ingored. Next, they are voilently opposed. Finally, they are accepted as being self evident."

- Arthur Schopewhaur

Energy:
Fine stainless steel needles are used - these are carefully inserted into your skin at the vital acupuncture points. Each point has a particular function which, when stimulated and in combination with other points, can act a bit like a combination lock on a safe: twiddle the right set, the door blows open - and hey presto - you can get to work on the treasure! In acupuncture, the points work together to restore the balance in your energy pattern.

On average, between three and six treatments will be necessary before a noticeable improvement takes place, but if the thought of needles is off-putting, rest assured that you're not about to undertake a form of torture more suited to a horror movie - amazingly, acupuncture doesn't really hurt at all.

Why use acupuncture for skin complaints?
When acupuncture is performed, some chemical substances in the spinal chord and brain are released into the body - and among these substances is the tongue-twisting adrenocorticotrophic hormone - one of the components which take part in the formation of a steroid. From orthodox medicine, it is know that steroids can have a beneficial effect on many skin diseases, so when this natural hormone is released and activated through acupuncture, the body is stimulated to heal itself from the inside.

Contacts:
For those living within the UK further information and a list of local practitioners can be obtained from:

The British Acupuncture Council
Park House
206-208 Latimer Road
LONDON
WIO 6RE

Those in the USA can contact The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine on: 202/232-1404 or the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture: 800/521-2262.