Acupuncturists believe that the underlying principle of treatment is that illness and pain occur when the body’s 'qi', or vital energy, cannot flow freely.  There can be many reasons for this; emotional and physical stress, poor nutrition, infection or injury are among the most common.  By inserting ultra-fine sterile needles into specific acupuncture points, an acupuncturist seeks to re-establish the free flow of qi to restore balance and trigger the body’s natural healing response.