Acupuncture and related treatment modalities. Part I: Theoretical background.

An introduction to the therapeutic applications, history, and theory of acupuncture and several related treatment modalities is presented. The practices of acupuncture, moxibustion, acupressure, and shiatsu are described. The underlying concept of treatment of imbalances of ch'i, or life energy, is presented along with the flow of ch'i in meridians (pathways), and the theories of yin and yang, Five Elements, and Eight Principle Patterns.