Known to be effective against a wide array of illnesses ranging from liver malfunctioning to stress and chronic pain, acupuncture entails inserting needles at certain critical points on the skin of the patient and these are referred to as acupoints. More often than not, these are totally unrelated to the area of disorder but their main function is to dissolve the obstacles that hinder the flow of 'Qi'. Thus, the aim of the acupuncturist is to trigger acupoints so that the flow of Qi along its meridians is restored and stimulated and the healing process of the body is set into motion. In this way, various problems, whether these are physical ailments, problems like drugs and alcohol, mental issues or pregnancy can be treated irrespective of the age and gender of the person.