How Acupuncture Works

Meridian Theory

Traditional Chinese Medicine describes pathways of energy flowing through the body, carrying nourishment, information and the essence of life to all tissues and organs. Disease occurs when some factor disrupts the normal flow of life force or, "Qi" as it is called (pronounced, "chee"). The role of the acupuncturist is to restore the normal flow of Qi, allowing the body to re-establish homeostasis. Needles, moxibustion, herbs and massage techniques are used to open the pathways and redirect the energy. The patient is instructed in proper nutrition, exercise, breathing, etc., to prevent reoccurrence of the disruption. The underlying philosophy is that individuals must maintain a state of harmony or balance both within themselves and in relation to their outer environment in order to regain and maintain their health.

Scientific Basis

Human and animal research demonstrates that acupuncture promotes the production of alpha and beta endorphins, leu-and met-enkalphins, dynorphin A and B, serotonin, epinephrine, noradrenalin, dopamine, acetylcholine, substance P, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), glycine, glutamic acid, the prostaglandins, and cyclic AMP and GMP (Summarized from research by Pomeranze, Melzack, etc., in "The Vital Meridian", Bensoussan, 1990, pp 101-126).

The first eleven listed above are neurotransmitters. Endorphins and enkalphins are produced by the body to relieve pain and provide a feeling of well-being. They are credited with acupuncture's pain relieving effects. Seratonin, epinephrine, noradrenalin, dopamine and acetylcholine regulate nerve transmission and effect mood. Together these substances are responsible for acupuncture's effectiveness with substance abuse and mental disorders. Furthermore, since circulating white cells have receptor sites for the endorphins, norepinephrine, seretonin, etc., it is widely believed that these hormones are the mechanism by which acupuncture affects the immune system. This may account for the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating infectious disease and autoimmune disorders. In the Consultative Document January 21, 1993, Indications and Contraindications in use of Acupuncture, World Health Organization Draft, the authors conclude that,

"Acupuncture enhances the phagocytosis of leukocytes not only in normal individuals, but more remarkably in patients with bacillary dysentery, appendicitis or malaria. Experiments also show phagocytosis of macrophages enhanced by acupuncture."

Substance P is produced in the tissue which is penetrated by the needle (or splinter, etc.). It is a chemical messenger to the local musculature, causing the tissues to relax so that the needle (or other foreign object) can fall out. Substance P is responsible for the effectiveness of acupuncture in relaxing muscle spasm. By signaling that the tissue has been penetrated, Substance P also attracts white cells and natural anti-inflammatory steroids and prostaglandins to the area needled. This accounts for the excellent results obtained by acupuncture in musculoskeletal conditions.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), glycine, glutamic acid, the prostaglandins, and cyclic AMP and GMP are representative of the chemical messengers which are triggered by acupuncture and are responsible for the beneficial effects of acupuncture of a wide variety of internal organ disorders. In all conditions studied, acupuncture treatment brings about homeostatic changes in the body. It is assumed that acupuncture signals the brain that there is a problem, and the brain responds by regulating hormones, blood flow, etc., to correct the problem. Acupuncture merely provokes that healing response.


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