Acupuncture
Traditional and Medical Acupuncture
How Does Acupuncture Work?
​Traditional Acupuncture
Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, ideal health is achieved by maintaining a “balanced state” and that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to a blockage or deficiency in the flow of Qi (vital energy) along internal pathways known as meridians. It is believed that there are 12 main meridians and 8 secondary meridians and that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body that connect with them.
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The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstruction and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
Modern Acupuncture
The modern scientific explanation is that needling acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. The chemicals released by stimulating these acupoints will either change the experience of pain or trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones that influence the body’s own internal regulating system. For example, numerous studies have proven how certain acupuncture points can directly affect levels of cortisol, b-endorphins, nor-epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, white blood cells (CD3+, CD4+, T-lymphocytes, eosinophils, NK-Cells)
The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by modern acupuncture results in stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities, promoting physical and emotional well-being.