What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a method that encourages the body to undergo natural healing and improve function. This is accomplished by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise points. Medical acupuncture is acupuncture performed by a doctor trained and licensed in Western medicine, who is also trained in acupuncture as a specialty. These are D.C’s, D.O’s, and M.D’s. How does Acupuncture works? According to the classical Chinese theory of acupuncture, there are channels of energy called Meridians that run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in one of these channels can affect the overall health. The meridians can be influenced by needling or electrical stimulation at the acupuncture points, which works unblock obstructions, and re-establish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances, to restore energy level, digestive, immunologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, and respiratory functions. The modern scientific explanation for acupuncture states that needling or electrical stimulation at the acupuncture points stimulates the release of chemicals such as Endorphins, which are responsible for providing the analgesic effect. These will either result in pain relief, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulatory system.