There are as many styles of acupuncture as there are different cultures. Many countries developed their own acupuncture style which use various diagnostic and treatment principles. Traditional Chinese acupuncture is, however, the style that has been popularized around the world the most and many acupuncture styles have their roots in the Traditional Chinese Acupuncture. Whether or not acupuncture originated in China is a subject of heated discussions. When we talk about Chinese acupuncture, however, we are referring to what is known as Traditional Chinese Acupuncture which falls under the umbrella of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is a fairly new “invention,” and it was developed under the direction of Mao Tse Tung in the 1960s. It is a synthesis of many different styles of acupuncture practiced throughout China and passed down from generation to generation.  Mao Tse Tung forced the concept of standardized Traditional Chinese Acupuncture so that it could be practiced and taught the same way in all hospitals and Universities in China. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is based on empirical ancient Chinese philosophical and cultural concepts reaching back several centuries. It uses a system of meridians and predefined acupuncture points located on these meridians. The meridians, though never scientifically proven, are thought to circulate “Lifeforce” or energy “Qi” throughout the body. A variety of external or internal factors including improper diet and toxic lifestyle can cause the Qi to become stagnant or blocked at some parts of the body. This blockage in the flow of Qi gives rise to diseases according to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. To restore the health of the body, needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points along the meridians, so that the blockages are removed and Qi can resume its free flow.