What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of therapy that promotes natural healing of
the body. The science and art of acupuncture involves insertion of
needles into specific points along the meridians of the body.
Acupuncture forms a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which
originated in China over 5000 years ago. Currently, acupuncture is a
safe and effective natural therapy and an increasingly popular form
of healthcare that is used by a wide range of cultural and social
backgrounds.
The major benefits of Acupuncture are as follows:
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| • Weight loss |
| • Drug-free pain relief |
| • Assists prevention against disease
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| • Treats the cause as well as the symptoms |
| • Holistic approach to illness, linking body, mind and emotions |
| • Effectively treats many common ailments |
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How does acupuncture work?
Many people who have experienced the therapeutic effects of
Acupuncture will vow that it truly does work. The common yet
difficult question that follows on from this is, “How does
Acupuncture Work?”
It is important to note there are two important explanations to this
question, which must be considered. These are the Traditional
Chinese Medicine Explanation and the Western Scientific Explanation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an integrated system, which
has been used for thousands of years to treat injury and illness.
Acupuncture forms one of the key components to the TCM approach to
curing disease and disorders of the body.
In the TCM system of medicine, the body is seen as a delicate
balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin
represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang
represents the hot, excited, or active principle.
TCM likens the human body to a highly complex electrical circuit.
Like any electrical circuit it must be kept in good working order if
it is to function effectively, and if the circuit breaks down the
result is illness. Among the major assumptions in TCM are that
health is achieved by maintaining the body in a “balanced state” and
that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This
imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (pronounced “chee”,
meaning vital energy) along pathways known as meridians.
TCM theorises that it is essential for qi, as well as blood to
circulate in a continuous and unobstructed manner for good health of
the mind and body. Acupuncture meridians or channels are the
pathways through which the energy flows throughout the body.
Acupuncture points lie along the meridians and are the holes that
allow entry into the acupuncture meridians. The acupuncture points
provide gateways to influence, redirect, increase, or decrease
body’s vital substances, qi (energy) & blood, thus correcting many
of the body’s imbalances.
The Western Scientific Explanation: Currently, there is not one
western scientific theory that collaboratively explains all of the
physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of Acupuncture. This
is because Acupuncture has a variety of therapeutic effects on the
body thus the action must vary depending on the type of pathology.
However it is proposed that acupuncture primarily produces its
effects through regulating the nervous system. Regulation of the
nervous system aids the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such
as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites in the body.
In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain
chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and
neurohormones. These affect the parts of the central nervous system
related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune
reactions and processes that regulate a person’s blood pressure,
blood flow, and body temperature.
In summary, scientists have deduced a number of theories from
observing a number of individual clinical effects of acupuncture
treatment. These theories and the observed clinical effects on which
the theories are based can be summarized as the following:
I have been going to
Stone Falls for several years for treatment of my RA. I decided to
try acupuncture, it has truly worked on my RA and also on weight
loss! I lost 23lbs in a couple of months. I have only great things
to say about acupuncture Stone Falls Chiropractic!
-Marilyn V
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Augmentation of Immunity Theory - Increased Immune Function &
Resistance to Disease |
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Endorphin Theory - Reduction of Pain |
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Neurotransmitter Theory - Inflammation Reduction & Promotion of
Feelings of Well Being |
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Circulatory Theory - Improved Circulation & Smooth Muscle Relaxation |
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Gate Control Theory - Increased Pain Tolerance |
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Motor Gate Theory - Hasten Motor Recovery from Paralysis |
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Homeostatic or Regulatory Effect - Regulation of Body’s Homeostasis
to Disease or Abnormal Conditions |
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Bioelectric Theory - Stimulation of cells of tissue growth & repair |
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Nervous System Theories - Central nervous system, spinal &
peripheral nerve stimulation, resulting in some of the
above-mentioned effects. |
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