Acupuncture is the insertion of thin, sterile, and disposable filiform needles into specific sites on the body known as acupoints. These acupoints are correlated with neurovascular structures in the body, needling these acupoints affects physiological change eliciting a therapeutic response. Thousands of years ago the Chinese discovered and mapped out the location of these points. Recently, scientific research has confirmed their existence and location.
According to Chinese medical theory, a vital energy called Qi runs in a circuit through the body. If the flow of Qi is disrupted through stress, poor diet, trauma, injury, etc., it will cause an imbalance in the body and lead to symptoms such as pain, anxiety, digestive distress, poor sleep, etc. Through the use of acupuncture we can reestablish the flow of Qi to help re-create balance, and activate the body’s innate healing ability. Western science is now discovering the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on many of the body’s systems, including the neurological, endocrine, respiratory, circulatory and digestive.
Acupuncture also helps increase energy levels, regulate the immune system, and promote deep relaxation and a sense of well-being.
What does Acupuncture Do?
Mechanisms of Acupuncture:
Acupuncture stimulates nerves and redirects blood flow to where it is needed
Acupuncture regulates the body's systems - sleep, hormones, immune system, digestion, appetite, blood pressure, ie:“if blood pressure is high acupuncture will help to lower it, if blood pressure is low acupuncture will help to raise it”
Acupuncture benefits the local area to reduce inflammation
Acupuncture regulates the central nervous system to encourage parasympathetic activity (rest, relax, digest, tissue healing/repair)
Acupuncture causes vasodilation which promotes circulation
Acupuncture releases endogenous opioids and neurotransmitters
Acupuncture triggers spinal reflex effects → muscle relaxation, changes in viscera
Acupuncture changes functional brain connectivity → deactivation of limbic network (stress)
Acupuncture regulates HPA axis → hormone regulation/ stress response (Cho, 2006; Lund, 2016)
Acupuncture influences several classes of naturally-produced opioid neuropeptides including:
● Enkephalins
● Endorphins
● Dynorphins
● Endomorphins
● Nociceptin
Acupuncture Modulates Neurotransmitters:
oxytocin → empathy, trust
serotonin → mood (contentment), cognition, learning, memory
norepinephrine → heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, energy to cells
dopamine → motivation, reward
cytokines → immunity, inflammation, hematopoiesis
glutamate → learning, memory
nitric oxide → vasodilation
gamma-amino-butyric-acid (GABA) → relaxation after stress response (Fan, Miller, 2016)
What Does Acupuncture Treat?
The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization have officially recognized the benefits of Chinese medicine, declaring acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine effective in treating over forty conditions, including:
Musculo-Skeletal Disorders: arthritis, low back pain, sciatica, tennis elbow, TMJ, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, fibromyalgia, tendonitis
Gynecological Disorders: PMS, menstrual irregularities, menopausal syndrome, ovarian cysts, infertility (for both men and women, boosting virility, improving sperm count, and regulating the ovarian cycles. Acupuncture has also been proven to increase success through IVF by 40-60%)
Gastro-Intestinal Disorders: indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux, ulcers, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome
Respiratory Disorders: allergies, asthma, common cold, flu, and sinusitis
Neurological Disorders: headache, migraine, dizziness, Bell’s palsy, post-stroke paralysis, neuralgia
Circulatory Disorders: high cholesterol, hypertension regulation
Psycho-Emotional Disorders: stress, anxiety, depression, nervousness, insomnia, smoking and other addictions. [*”] Acupuncture affects the networks in the brain associated with day-dreaming or over-thinking. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce the activity of these networks, leaving the client with a feeling of clarity and calm. Activation of the natural opiate system inside the body results in a feeling of wellbeing
Uro-Genital Disorders: urinary tract infection, incontinence, impotence