How does Acupuncture work?
The most common question I get asked by my clients is ‘ so …. how does acupuncture actually work’
My response goes something like this:
Well basically acupuncture works in many different ways. On a physiological level acupuncture works on stimulating the bodies natural immune response. For example If you get a splinter in your finger, straight away the body has a natural immune response, whereby it sends healing ( white blood cells ) to that area. Not only does it bring the white blood cells it also increases blood circulation which brings nutrients to the surrounding tissue and muscles and all this is happening with out you even doing anything. Acupuncture works in exactly the same way except the acupuncturist is directing where the healing will take place.
Acupuncture also initiates a release of hormones called endorphins. Endorphins have positive effects on the body and also the mind. When endorphins are released, as they are during an acupuncture session, it can induce a sense of deep relaxation and wellbeing, helps to lower blood pressure, helps to boost the immune system and acts as a strong painkiller. This is the bodies natural painkiller that will kick in as soon as there is trauma or injury. Acupuncture is a gentle way in which to stimulate the body’s innate healing capabilities.
Nervous System
Circulatory System
Meridian System
If you look closely the images on the left are representing the Nervous System, Circulatory System and the Meridian System, they follow basically the same paths and therefore, it makes sense that by stimulating one area, it can have a ripple effect through the body via this amazing network of nerves and vessels. Chinese medicine is 5000 years old and for them to come up with a basic model of what we now have named the nervous system and circulatory system is phenomenal.
In Chinese medicine the meridian system is like rivers that flow all around the body, instead of water the meridians carry Qi which loosely translated means energy. So just like a river whose water flows from one side of the country to the other, the Qi or energy flows through the body feeding and nourishing the areas it passes through.
The acupuncture points are pools of energy where the electromagnetic force is stronger then in other areas they are like reservoirs and can be stimulated to help more energy flow or reduced if there is too much, just as the Qi level drops in that area so too it does along its meridian and therefore has the ability to effect more then just that part. If there is a blockage of energy along a meridian it can cause too much energy to get stuck in that area, causing the blood to stagnate and pain to arise. Placing acupuncture needles along the meridians can help unblock this stagnation restoring the body back to health.
Acupuncture has been around for over 5000 years, and is currently being used by Acupuncturists, Physios, Doctors, Chiropractors and in Hospitals around the globe. Its still going strong, in fact there are more and more ways in which acupuncture is being effectively used then ever before. Even though there has been research into the workings of acupuncture there are still a lot of things that can’t be rationally explained by science as to how exactly it can work in so many different ways.
Stay tuned for more posts about the benefits of Acupuncture, what acupuncture can treat and information on commonly used Acupuncture points that you can use at home just by pressing on the points your self.
Tanya Wester
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