The Burning Question: How does acupuncture actually work?
One of the most common questions I get asked is, how does acupuncture work? Is there some kind of medicine on the tips of the needles?
The answer is no, there are no medicines involved; the miraculous healing power of acupuncture comes from its ability to “speak” directly to your nervous system, which then self-regulates. The real power actually comes from inside of you, and with proper treatment it’s your body that regenerates and heals itself.
Pretty amazing stuff, huh?
The Scientific Explanation
From a scientific point of view, the main explanation as to how acupuncture works is based on the theory of cell signalling.
In a nutshell, when hair-thin acupuncture needles are superficially inserted at acupuncture points - or when a point is stimulated with acupressure or massage or heated with moxibustion - this activates nerve endings in the area, which then send instructions to the brain.
Acupuncture points are special because they have higher levels of electrical conductivity compared to surrounding tissues. They’re also strategically located near “triads” - clusters of nerves, lymphatic and blood vessels - and so when stimulated trigger powerful biochemical responses from your nervous system.
These reactions directly impact organ function, exerting strong anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body, including the digestive, nervous, respiratory, immune and genitourinary systems as well as muscles, joints, tendons, cartilage and other structures.
The immediate calming effect people describe when receiving acupuncture comes from the release of natural painkillers (endorphins, some of which, like Beta-endorphin, are more powerful than morphine on the body) and neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, as well as substances which lower inflammation, reduce stress and help hormones to rebalance.
Acupuncture also balances the autonomic nervous system, bringing the body from “fight or flight” back into “rest and digest” mode, which is the state the body needs to be in to do its healing work.
Photo credit: Emiliano Vittoriosi
Interested in how Chinese Medicine can help your body heal?
DM me for more info, or if you're in the Rome area, reach out! I’d love to hear from you.
To your health,
Teressa @joyfulheartacuwellness
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