Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. Applying acupuncture to certain points is thought to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health. Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective for a variety of conditions.