How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a comprehensive medical system based on over 3,000 years of clinical observation. Acupuncture theory views the body from a holistic approach. Many theories exist explaining how and why acupuncture works. In Western models, research shows that acupuncture regulates the nervous system, activates endorphins, and reduces inflammation.

A growing body of evidence-based research suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment tool for a wide variety of diagnoses including chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and women’s health conditions. In this post, I'll explain why acupuncture is effective for such a diverse range of conditions from both a Western and Eastern perspective.

Acupuncture Regulates Endorphins for Pain Management

In regards to pain management, acupuncture is unique in its ability to treat acute pain and provide long-term results. Research shows that acupuncture is able to help the body regulate endorphins, the neurohormones responsible for pain regulation. Acupuncture’s effect on endorphins may explain why other studies have established acupuncture efficacy for low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and many other forms of chronic pain.

Acupuncture treatments are designed to treat the current pain that you are experiencing as well as the underlying cause of chronic pain. This integrative approach is why your acupuncturist may ask you several questions about your overall health that may seem unrelated low back pain or degenerative disc disease.

Acupuncture Reduces Inflammation for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Research also shows that acupuncture has an anti-inflammatory effect on the entire body. How does acupuncture reduce inflammation? The answer is complicated. According to growing studies, it appears that acupuncture simultaneously reduces pro-inflammatory messengers while activating anti-inflammatory communication systems. Acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory effect is critical for the treatment of many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. A short list includes allergies, endometriosis, Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and many fertility-related diagnoses.

It takes time to stimulate the body’s natural healing process and reduce inflammation levels. Acupuncture works to treat the root cause of inflammation and chronic pain. Once patients notice an improvement in their symptoms, this change typically signals a permanent shift in the body’s physiology. Additionally, acupuncture treatments optimize the body as a whole, resulting in patients feeling better in more ways than one. This process leads patients to experience relief in relation to their main concern, as well as improving their overall health.

Acupuncture Regulates the Endocrine System for Male and Female Infertility

Multiple research studies have also established acupuncture as an effective treatment modality for male and female infertility. For more than twenty years, research studies have been illuminating the ways in which acupuncture regulates the endocrine system to improve natural fertility and IVF outcomes. Similar to pain and inflammation regulation, it appears that acupuncture assists fertility through multiple pathways.

In the case of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) research suggests that acupuncture reduces testosterone levels and luteinizing hormone (LH), while reestablishing regular menstrual cycles. Other fertility research demonstrates that electro-acupuncture improves blood flow to the uterus. For male factor fertility, the results of multiple acupuncture studies show improved sperm morphology as well as other sperm parameters.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine: How do Ancient Texts Explain Acupuncture?

Modern research continues to expand our understanding of the many ways that acupuncture helps to regulate the body and restore homeostasis. However, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medical texts have existed for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese Medical theory is quite different from our current understanding of the body’s physiology. Nevertheless, acupuncture theory has stood the test of time and the basic paradigm of patient diagnosis can be applied to many modern-day conditions that did not exist in the ancient texts.

TCM theory suggests that the body is composed of an essential substance, called qi (pronounce chee). Qi is thought to be the essential energy which stimulates all of the important physiological functions of the body. Qi circulates through the body via fourteen major meridians or pathways, similar to the way blood circulates through major vessels.

Acupuncture Diagnosis: Qi, Yin, and Yang

Acupuncturists use this fundamental concept of qi and meridians to diagnosis patients and create a treatment plan. Acupuncture meridians function as connections between major organs, muscles, and tissues of the body to maintain a delicate balance of qi, yin and yang. Yin and yang are two other important concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Yin and yang represent the foundation and activity of all of the major physiological systems of the body.

Physiological health is viewed as an intricate balance between qi, yin and yang flowing throughout all the major meridians in the body. It may surprise patients to learn that the same Chinese diagnosis may be related to seemingly unrelated conditions. For example, an common Chinese diagnosis described as Liver Qi Stagnation may be the root cause for migraines, digestive issues, or painful periods.

Acupuncture Treatment: Acupuncture Points & Meridians

When the body is experiencing pain, discomfort or disease, Traditional Chinese Medicine views this as an imbalance that is occurring in one or more of the meridian systems. Acupuncture is the process by which small, fine, disposable needles are inserted into acupuncture points along these meridians. The goal of acupuncture treatment is to access the body’s qi and create a desired effect in one or more of the major physiological systems of the body.

Acupuncture points are areas where the qi is thought to be the most accessible. Research has also shown that acupuncture points have different electrical resistance and higher neuromuscular and vascular innervation. In other words, these are not random points but areas on the body with special properties. Electroacupuncture, ear acupuncture, cupping, tui na, gua sha, and herbal medicine are all important adjunctive components of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Although these concepts may sound foreign at first, the basic concepts in Chinese Medicine are very similar to the idea of homeostasis in Western medicine. Homeostasis describes the body’s continual attempt to maintain a balance in all of its physiological systems. Acupuncture acts as a stimulus to help the body return to homeostasis once it gets of course. The ability of acupuncture to return the body to balance and optimal health, is the reason why acupuncture is effective for so many conditions.

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