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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How does acupuncture work? |
Below are 5 possible biomedical theories to explain this 3,000 year-old medicine.
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1. Neurotransmitter Theory: Acupuncture affects brain areas that stimulate the secretion of endorphins and enkaphalins, chemicals that help moderate the sensation of pain in the body. (“Neuro-acupuncture, Scientific evidence of acupuncture revealed,” 2001 Cho, ZH., et.al., page 128; “Acupuncture-- A Scientific Appraisal,: Ernst, E., White, A., 1999, page 74; “Acupuncture Energetics-- A Clinical Approach for Physicians,” Helms, Dr. J., 1997, pages 41-42)
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2. Autonomic Nervous System Theory: Acupuncture stimulates the release of several types of opioids, or pain killers, which can help regulate an overactive nervous system and reduce pain. (“Anatomy of Neuro-Anatomical Acupuncture”, Volume 1, Wong, Dr. J., page 34; Han, J.S. “Acupuncture Activates Endogenous Systems of Analgesia.” National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture, Program & Abstracts, Bethesda, MD, Nov 3-5, 1997, Office of Alternative Medicine and Office of Medical Applications of Research).
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3. Gate Control Theory: Acupuncture activates non-pain receptors on cells that can inhibit or block the pain signals sent by the site of injury. (op.cit. Cho, p. 116)
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4. Vascular-Interstitial Theory: Acupuncture can affect the balance of chemicals inside and outside the cells, allowing for a healthier cellular state to exist and the more toxic chemicals to flush away and be filtered from the blood and eliminated from the body. (op.cit., Helms, page 66)
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5. Blood Chemistry Theory: Acupuncture affects the concentrations of various blood components which can in the long-run aid the body in maintaining homeostasis, or balance. (op. cit., Helms, page 41)
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Part of the poetry of this medicine is that, though it is fascinating and valuable for the advancement of this field to search for and unravel Chinese Medicine in Western terms, the true beauty of this medicine lies in its simplicity of logic, its keen understanding of how we are extensions of nature, and that some things in life are merely meant to be felt and experienced.
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