| For every practice or thought, there is an opposite | | | | mysticism, which leaves some individuals to believe |
| viewpoint. This is true with religious beliefs, political | | | | that acupuncture is evil or wrong. |
| beliefs, and even opinions and studies of the | | | | However, for the most part, acupuncture is receiving a |
| environment. As humans, we both consciously and | | | | positive welcome in communities around the globe. |
| unconsciously choose to believe a side. There are | | | | Perhaps this is because of exercise programs, such |
| many, many individuals who can see the reasoning on | | | | as Yoga and Pilates, which have become so popular. |
| both sides of the proverbial fence, but there are also | | | | Asian culture has exploded into the main stream in |
| those that are staunchly devoted and will see no side | | | | fashion, thought, spirituality, technology, and medicine. |
| other than their own. Medical treatments are no | | | | Years ago, such things as acupuncture and Yoga |
| exception to this rule. | | | | were only for the "beatniks". The regular Joe did not |
| There are religious groups through out the world, | | | | practice such things and would not have heard the |
| including some who believe that a transfusion of blood | | | | positive benefits, but nowadays, people around the |
| is sacrilegious and would never take someone else's | | | | globe want different choices when it comes to their |
| blood into their body, as it makes them "impure". There | | | | bodies. Many individuals want to try to live a life with |
| are some who do not believe in modern medicine and | | | | minimal medication and invasive procedures, turning to |
| still, to this day, practice holistic medicine. However, | | | | nature to help with illness and pain. Acupuncture is a |
| most religions do not have a prejudice against | | | | good alternative. |
| Western medicine in whole, but may be against | | | | Acupuncture, as mentioned before, has to do with the |
| particular things, such as prescriptions for depression. | | | | flow of energy in the body. The energy flows along |
| Many Eastern religions have given birth to medical | | | | pathways, fourteen to be precise, which are called |
| practices of their own. An example of this would be | | | | meridians. All along the meridian, there are points within |
| Taoism. Taoism believes in studying nature and its | | | | that can become blocked. Acupuncture is used to |
| influences upon man. From this belief and observation | | | | unblock the meridian and allow the energy to flow. This |
| rose the practice of acupuncture, which has to do with | | | | is done with the use of long, thin, solid needles, but |
| the flow of energy, Qi (pronounced chee), and how | | | | most people report that the procedure is painless, so |
| those affect areas of the body. | | | | do not worry. |
| Many religions consider that believing in outside | | | | The medical field and the health-care services we |
| energies is a farce and their followers will spurn | | | | choose to receive fall into our set of values and |
| procedures using such magic and mystery. Others | | | | beliefs, be they moral or religious. Certainly, the ultimate |
| discount the studies of researchers, considering the | | | | decision to accept acupuncture or consider it nothing |
| strength of acupuncture to lie in the possibility of | | | | more than psychological smoke and mirrors remains |
| something intangible, such as Qi. Bibles and scriptures | | | | yours alone, depending much on your personal group |
| of all types warn against the "Devil's work" and | | | | of beliefs and your opinion. |