Acupuncture is a medical practice used traditionally throughout China and Asia for thousands of years to treat a wide range of conditions. Fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body were traditionally thought to stimulate “qi energy” triggering the bodies natural healing process.

Acupuncture increasingly has been studied in western biomedicine to better understand how it works. Several theories have emerged about the body mechanisms through which acupuncture works.

Deforming the tissue and fascia: Acupuncture needles inserted into the body and manually manipulated in strategically different ways deforms the tissue and fascia to create different impacts in the neuromuscular system and body physiology. 

Stimulating the nervous system: Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to trigger neurotransmitters and hormones which regulate other bodily systems. Most people know that acupuncture stimulates endorphin our body’s own pain-relieving agent. It also stimulates other feel good chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin.

Modulating inflammation:  Acupuncture activates immune cells and releases – anti-inflammatory cytokines to help reduce inflammation. Cytokines storms are linked to the onset of life threatening systemic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Acupuncture modulates inflammation, reduces pain and improves health.

Regulating the immune system: Acupuncture activates immune cells and increases antibody production. This helps regulate the immune system and supports the body to fight off infection and disease.

Assisting with blood flow: Acupuncture dilates blood vessels to treated areas thus improving circulation, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

Western biomedical studies have clearly shown when an acupuncture needle is inserted in the body there is a cascade of neurobiological effects that interact to have a positive effect on health. Acupuncture is a medical practice that not only treats problems, but also promotes ongoing health and well being.

Resources – super nerdy interesting articles discussing the neurobiology of acupuncture

Jung-Sheng Yu, Bai-Yun Zeng, Ching-Liang Hsieh, “Chapter Six Acupuncture Stimulation and Neuroendocrine Regulation” Editor(s): Bai-Yun Zeng, Kaicun Zhao, Fan-Rong Liang, International Review of Neurobiology,Academic Press,Volume 111, 2013, Pages 125-140, ISSN 0074-7742, ISBN 9780124115453, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-411545-3.00006-7.

Torres-Rosas, Rafael et al. “Dopamine mediates vagal modulation of the immune system by electroacupuncture.” Nature medicine vol. 20,3 (2014): 291-5. doi:10.1038/nm.3479

Wang, Bing-Gan, et al. “Manual acupuncture for neuromusculoskeletal disorders: The selection of stimulation parameters and corresponding effects.” Frontiers in Neuroscience 17 (2023): 1096339.

Zhang, Zhang-Jin, Xiao-Min Wang, and Grainne M. McAlonan. “Neural acupuncture unit: a new concept for interpreting effects and mechanisms of acupuncture.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine 2012 (2012).

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