According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture works by applying a thin needle to an acupuncture point located along the meridian - a channel like structure. Each of 14 meridians controls a set of physiological functions of corresponding internal organs throughout the body. Acupuncture achieves its effect by regulating "Qi" movement in the meridian. "Qi" is a conceptual energy substance that travels in the meridians to influence the functions of internal organs. Disruption of Qi movement and abnormally high and low of Qi are used to explain the symptoms or diseases. Similarly, by up-regulating or down-regulating the functions of internal organs through "Qi", acupuncture achieves its therapeutic aims and correct the imbalance.
|
How Acupuncture Works
Reducing inflammation and pain
Insertion of needles leads to attraction of immune cells to the acupuncture points through
chemotactic process as part of wound healing mechanism. The immune cells then release
significant amount of anti-inflammatory proteins-leading to reduce the inflammation. As
many pain symptoms are the result of inflammation such as low back pain and joint arthritis,
the needle-induced anti-inflammatory activity reduce the pain.
Balancing nerve systems by acting on parasympathetic and
sympathetic nerves
Many symptoms that acupuncture can treat are the result of imbalance of sympathetic and
parasympathetic systems. Symptoms such as stress/anxiety, nausea/vomiting, abdominal
bloating are the result of hyperactive sympathetic or hypoactive parasympathetic nerves
(vagus nerve). Acupuncture on a number of acupuncture points stimulate vagus nerve to
rebalance the nerve systems.
Acting on peripheral nerves to influence central nerve system and treat
peripheral nerve abnormality
Applying needles to acupuncture points stimulates peripheral nerve activity, which in turns
to act on brain. In neural sciences, more than 60 studies using MRI imaging approach have
demonstrated different acupuncture points could activate different brain regions, implying
its contribution to treat pain, stress, migraine, insomnia, and parkinson's diseases. Also,
acupuncture can be used correct abnormality of peripheral nerves to treat diseases
including peripheral neuropathy and shingles.
Acupuncture & Natural Medicine Dr. Peng in Bethesda, Maryland
|