Fix the Flow & the Body Heals Itself
There are multiple perspectives Why and How Acupuncture Works. Here are a few ...
Classical Acupuncture Theory
For thousands of years, Acupuncture Theory and Therapy has evolved in China and beyond. Based upon a combination of physical, energetic, and metaphysical concepts, the focus of this medical technique is to remove or rectify blocked or corrupted 'Qi.' Qi can be most easily described as the physiological function and bio-electricity that runs through and animates all living things. In Acupuncture Theory, the body and its organs circulate Qi through specific pathways commonly referred to as 'meridians' or 'channels'. When Qi, Blood and other factors are balanced and flowing through these channels normally, there is health. When there is excess, deficiency, blockage or some other type of corruption to this flow, the result is dysfunction and perhaps eventually disease. A properly trained acupuncturist knows how to read the body's signs and symptoms to determine where the problem lies and then rectify these problems with Qi flow and function.
In Western Medical Science Terms ...
Where there is disease or dysfunction in the body, the nervous system, circulatory system and immune system are often ‘dys-regulated’, meaning that these systems are not integrated and functioning properly with a particular part of the body. Blood is not freely flowing, lymphatic movement is blocked or hindered and the nervous system is experiencing a type of ‘short circuit’ or miscommunication. These blockages can be the reason why even the best herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drugs often do not work: They can’t get into the dysfunctional area and deliver their specific healing factors.
Acupuncture needling provokes signals and stimulates ascending neural pathways to the central nervous system from pathological (dysfunctional or disease-causing) areas , essentially ‘waking up’ the brain and nervous system to an area that needs attention. Further (as a type of ‘side-effect’), acupuncture stimulates descending neural responses that reduce pain and inflammation and restore balance to a dysfunctional area. Acupuncture, thus, helps re-establish and regulate the communication and physiological function between dysfunctional organs, glands, and tissues within the body, brain, nervous system, endocrine and immune system. When this 'regulation' happens, the body is able to do what it was designed to do: Heal.
This concept is simple, but very far reaching and powerful in its effects. As every function in the body is essentially controlled and monitored by the nervous system and nourished through the vascular system, this allows acupuncture to address a wide variety of disease states and conditions.
Other Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture ...
Special Action Points
In addition to the general phenomena effected by acupuncture, certain acupuncture points have been shown to activate specific actions in the body. For example, when the acu-point GB-34 is used in conjunction with LV-14, it has been shown that gallstones can be ejected from the gallbladder and liver. The acu-point UB-67 is another well-known example - when it is stimulated with moxa, it can rotate a breached fetus. Other 'reflex' type points have been shown to increase blood flow and function to various organs and glands.
Trigger Point / Myofascial Release Therapy Acupuncture is an potent methodology for releasing tight and contracted myofascial patterns in the musculo-skeletal system. Fascia is the thin sheath that covers muscles and muscle fibers and can become tight, knotted, or spasmed due to trauma, stress, toxicity, and internal organ dysfunction. Such tight fascia impedes the circulation of blood, lymph and nervous system activity and can lead to pain and an endless list of symptoms and physiological dysfunction. Releasing these held myofascial patterns can lead to major improvements and even full recovery from structural problems, pain, organ dysfunction, and even systemic disease processes.
Biochemical and Neurotransmitter Effects
Acupuncture treatment has been proven in numerous studies to affect and regulate many of the body's neurotransmitters. For example, acupuncture has been shown to regulate serotonin levels in the brain and spinal cord. Serotonin is associated with feelings of wellbeing, affects memory and learning, and is integral in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, digestion, and muscle contraction. Studies have also shown that acupuncture regulates and affects the body's release of natural pain killers like endorphins and natural opioids, thus helping explain how acupuncture relieves pain and, in particular, headaches.
There are multiple perspectives Why and How Acupuncture Works. Here are a few ...
Classical Acupuncture Theory
For thousands of years, Acupuncture Theory and Therapy has evolved in China and beyond. Based upon a combination of physical, energetic, and metaphysical concepts, the focus of this medical technique is to remove or rectify blocked or corrupted 'Qi.' Qi can be most easily described as the physiological function and bio-electricity that runs through and animates all living things. In Acupuncture Theory, the body and its organs circulate Qi through specific pathways commonly referred to as 'meridians' or 'channels'. When Qi, Blood and other factors are balanced and flowing through these channels normally, there is health. When there is excess, deficiency, blockage or some other type of corruption to this flow, the result is dysfunction and perhaps eventually disease. A properly trained acupuncturist knows how to read the body's signs and symptoms to determine where the problem lies and then rectify these problems with Qi flow and function.
In Western Medical Science Terms ...
Where there is disease or dysfunction in the body, the nervous system, circulatory system and immune system are often ‘dys-regulated’, meaning that these systems are not integrated and functioning properly with a particular part of the body. Blood is not freely flowing, lymphatic movement is blocked or hindered and the nervous system is experiencing a type of ‘short circuit’ or miscommunication. These blockages can be the reason why even the best herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drugs often do not work: They can’t get into the dysfunctional area and deliver their specific healing factors.
Acupuncture needling provokes signals and stimulates ascending neural pathways to the central nervous system from pathological (dysfunctional or disease-causing) areas , essentially ‘waking up’ the brain and nervous system to an area that needs attention. Further (as a type of ‘side-effect’), acupuncture stimulates descending neural responses that reduce pain and inflammation and restore balance to a dysfunctional area. Acupuncture, thus, helps re-establish and regulate the communication and physiological function between dysfunctional organs, glands, and tissues within the body, brain, nervous system, endocrine and immune system. When this 'regulation' happens, the body is able to do what it was designed to do: Heal.
This concept is simple, but very far reaching and powerful in its effects. As every function in the body is essentially controlled and monitored by the nervous system and nourished through the vascular system, this allows acupuncture to address a wide variety of disease states and conditions.
Other Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture ...
Special Action Points
In addition to the general phenomena effected by acupuncture, certain acupuncture points have been shown to activate specific actions in the body. For example, when the acu-point GB-34 is used in conjunction with LV-14, it has been shown that gallstones can be ejected from the gallbladder and liver. The acu-point UB-67 is another well-known example - when it is stimulated with moxa, it can rotate a breached fetus. Other 'reflex' type points have been shown to increase blood flow and function to various organs and glands.
Trigger Point / Myofascial Release Therapy Acupuncture is an potent methodology for releasing tight and contracted myofascial patterns in the musculo-skeletal system. Fascia is the thin sheath that covers muscles and muscle fibers and can become tight, knotted, or spasmed due to trauma, stress, toxicity, and internal organ dysfunction. Such tight fascia impedes the circulation of blood, lymph and nervous system activity and can lead to pain and an endless list of symptoms and physiological dysfunction. Releasing these held myofascial patterns can lead to major improvements and even full recovery from structural problems, pain, organ dysfunction, and even systemic disease processes.
Biochemical and Neurotransmitter Effects
Acupuncture treatment has been proven in numerous studies to affect and regulate many of the body's neurotransmitters. For example, acupuncture has been shown to regulate serotonin levels in the brain and spinal cord. Serotonin is associated with feelings of wellbeing, affects memory and learning, and is integral in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, digestion, and muscle contraction. Studies have also shown that acupuncture regulates and affects the body's release of natural pain killers like endorphins and natural opioids, thus helping explain how acupuncture relieves pain and, in particular, headaches.