Acupuncture is one of five branches of Traditional Medicine. The other branches include nutritional guidance, Tui na ( a form of Chinese Medical Massage), exercise ( Qi Gong and Tai Ji), herbal therapy.
Acupuncture is one of the most effective ways to unblock energy flow and restore the body to a state of balanced “qi”.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the manipulation of the body’s energy through the insertion of fine needles at specified points on the body with the goal of helping the body to heal and strengthen. This energy is referred to as Qi (pronounced Chee). When illness occurs it is an external manifestation of weak or disordered Qi. Acupuncture helps to re-order and strengthen the Qi and thereby eliminate the underlying condition and the symptoms.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the body. The selection of the points depends on the particular condition of the patient and the diagnosis given by the practitioner.
When the needle is correctly inserted in the proper location your body’s energy will actually grab the needle and the needle will stand firm. Sometimes the patient will feel very little, sometimes he/she will feel a dull sensation, and sometimes the patient will literally feel an energetic sensation flow briefly through the meridian as a blockage is relieved. In fact, your ability to “sense” the acupuncture working may astonish you the first time.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Traditional Theory
Traditionally, it works through the manipulation of Qi to effect a particular result. Illness is thought to be the result of a disorder of essential body substances of Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang. To much or too little of these substances will result in an imbalance in the function of the body’s systems and over time those imbalances will manifest in a collection of symptoms associated with a particular illness.
These substances travel through the body in channels or meridians. Each of us has twelve primary channels and eight extraordinary channels. They deliver the essential substances throughout the body to nourish organs, systems and body surfaces. Each of the body’s organs, channels and systems is connected through the channel system. If there is an imbalance in one, it effects another associated organ or system.
Scientific Research on ‘How Does Acupuncture Work’
Mechanism #1: Extrasegmental Analgesia
Research shows that acupuncture increases the pain threshold. Studies show that beta-endorphin is released in pain patients receiving acupuncture, whereas a control group had no increase in this neuromodulator. Neuromodulators are opioid peptides. Four of them have been confirmed to be released during an acupuncture treatment.
Mechanism #2: Central Regulatory
Acupuncture also stimulates a deep part of the brain called the limbic system. This is an essential finding as the limbic system is responsible for the many ways that we perceive and respond to pain.
Mechanism #3: Segmental Analgesia
Acupuncture near the site of pain is able to block pain signals traveling to the dorsal horn. Acupuncture stimulates alpha delta fibers which have been shown to decrease activity in the dorsal horn.
Mechanism #4: Myofascial Trigger Point Release
Most trigger points develop due to injury (acute trauma or repetitive stress) and tend to develop around the area that is affected. Trigger points have more electrical activity detected by EMG which causes a release in acetylcholine (ACh). It’s the presence of ACh that leads the endplates of muscle fibers to inhibit the calcium pump. This depolarizes in an uncoordinated way and leads to local contraction of the sarcomeres in the area. The muscle will shorten as a result. By needling the trigger point, it physically disrupts the dysfunctional muscle and causes vasodilation of the area which helps the tissues to heal.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Acupuncture needles are not much thicker than a hair and their insertion is practically painless. You may not even know that the needles have been inserted. Some sensations that you may feel include: tingling, warmth, heaviness or a feeling of energy moving up and down the affected energetic pathway. Most people find Acupuncture extremely relaxing and many people fall asleep during treatment.
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