Acupuncture works by inserting needles into specific points of the body. These points lie along the meridians, or channels that run throughout and over the body. Meridians are responsible for the movement of the body's energy, or qi. Whenever there is a disturbance of the energy in the body, pain, disease or discomfort may occur. Acupuncture works by regulating the energy flow and function with the use of needles to stimulate and balance the qi along the meridians.