What Is Acupuncture

Acupuncture originated in China more than 4000 years ago. Due to its efficiency in treating a wide range of conditions it is the most widely practiced form of medicine in the world.

Although most noted for having its origin in the Orient, acupuncture has been practiced throughout Europe since the early 1900s. Since its introduction to the United States acupuncture has steadily gained the acceptance of the public and the established medical community.

Acupuncture is the insertion of thin solid needles to specific points on the body.

Stimulation of these points causes changes to occur in the bodys internal environment that help fight disease and relieve pain.

How Acupuncture Works

A Modern Medical Perspective

The modern scientific and medical communities have developed several theories that explain how acupuncture and moxibustion work.

When a person is under physical or emotional stress abnormal changes can occur in the organs and deep tissues of the body. Because, these organs and deep tissues share nerve pathways with the external skin and muscles, any change to them will also manifest distinct changes in the skin and underlying areas of muscle. As a result the external muscles and skin will develop areas that become, tense or painful, or either hypersensitive or numb. Indentations in the skin or small knots just below the skin also develop. These are the areas that are treated by acupuncture and shiatsu to correct the abnormalities that have developed in the internal organs and tissues. The phenomenon of an abnormality on the inside of the body that creates a change to the external body is known as a nerve reflex.

When certain nerve fibers are stimulated a chemical response occurs where the nerves enter the spinal cord and pain impulses are transmitted to the brain. By applying acupuncture or shiatsu to specific points where the thicker A beta nerves are located, an opposite chemical response happens and pain impulses are not permitted to enter the brain. This is known as the gate control theory.

The Bodies Natural Painkillers

The application of acupuncture or moxibustion to the skin causes the body to release enkephalins and endorphins into the bloodstream. These substances are the bodys natural painkillers. They act like morphine by blocking the perception of pain.

Biochemical Response to Acupuncture or Moxibustion

Acupuncture and Moxibustion have been shown to increase the number leukocytes (white blood cells) and erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the blood. Increasing the number of the red and white blood cells has been proven useful in treating rheumatism, neuralgia and anemia.

Applying moxibustion to the skin prompts the body to produce histotoxin, which is beneficial to the treatment of arteriosclerosis.

Acupuncture can alleviate the symptoms associated with allergic responses by increasing choline-esterase in the body.

Modern Trigger Point Therapy

Based upon the research and work of Janet G. Travell, MD, who was the White House Physician to both Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Trigger point therapy is a complex treatment system based on western anatomy and physiology. It is highly effective at reducing both acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Trigger points are hypersensitive areas that are located within taut or overly tense bands of muscle fiber. They often refer pain and other distressing symptoms to remote locations of the body. Trigger points often correlate to traditional acupuncture points. The style of shiatsu practiced in our office is designed to address the problems stemming from these points.

An Oriental Medicine Perspective

Acupuncturist help people to overcome pain and many other conditions by regulating and bringing into balance the bodys vital energy. This vital energy, the life force of the body is what the Chinese termed Chi (QI). Chi is a bio-electric/bio-magnetic energy that flows between the skin and fascia in organized pathways, called meridians. Chi is produced in the internal organs by a complex process of synthesizing the air we breathe and the food we eat. It permeates and nourishes all the tissues, organs, and fluids of the body. It strengthens the immune system, warms the body, holds the organs in place and aids the blood in proper circulation through its vessels. When there is a blockage or disruption in the flow of chi through the meridians, or if there is not enough chi being produced in the body, disease or pain can occur.