Acupuncture
Acupuncture originated in China over 3,000 years ago. It is part of the
holistic system of healing known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (“TCM”)
and in China is still mostly a system of primary health care.
How does Acupuncture work?
The Classical Chinese explanation is that energy (Qi) flows in channels
(meridians) throughout the body and over its surfaces. These channels
are rivers of energy which are referred to as meridians. The Chinese
have identified 71 meridians in the human body, which is a basic energy
map for all people. The meridians are often compared to a series of
interconnected highways. Each of the major organs in the body is
associated with its own meridian. Through the network of meridians the
internal organs are connected to certain areas and parts of the body
including the muscles, bones, joints, and also other organs.
The Chinese believe that health is a manifestation of balance, both
within the body itself and between the body and the external
environment. When the body is internally balanced and in harmony with
the external environment, Qi flows smoothly through the meridians to
nourish the organs and tissues. If an obstruction occurs in one of the
meridians, the Qi is disrupted and cannot flow properly. When the Qi
cannot flow smoothly or is forced to flow in the opposite direction, the
body’s innate balance is disrupted and illness results.
Acupuncture points are the specific points on the meridians where the Qi
is both concentrated and accessible. Acupuncture engages the Qi by
inserting needles at these specific points, the goal being to restore
the proper flow of Qi. As the body regains its natural balance, well-being returns.
Acupuncture and Science
To the human body, acupuncture needles are a physical stimulus. In
Western science, a stimulus is defined as a detectable change in either
the external environment or within the body itself. When the body
detects change, it produces a response. Although acupuncture is not yet
fully understood by Western science, with modern technology scientists
can now actually begin to “see” the body’s response to acupuncture. For
example, using an MRI (a very sophisticated x-ray), researchers have
shown that when a needle is inserted at specific acupuncture points on
the body, corresponding changes occur in the brain.
In the West, acupuncture is most well-known for its ability to relieve
pain so the majority of research thus far has been done in this area.
Acupuncture points are now believed to stimulate the central nervous
system (the brain and spinal cord) to release pain-relieving chemicals
into the muscles, spinal cord and brain. Acupuncture may also stimulate
other chemicals to be released by the brain, including hormones that
influence the self-regulating system of the body.