How Does Acupuncture Work?
“Modern research shows that acupuncture can affect most of the body’s systems – the nervous system, muscle tone, hormone outputs, circulation, antibody production and allergic responses, as well as the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems”.
– British Medical Acupuncture Society
• Through the placement of very fine acupuncture needles in the skin an ancient biological mechanism is activated which stimulates our bodies into self-healing mode through the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems.
• Neuroplasticity in the nervous system and alteration of gene expression during a course of acupuncture cause stable long-term responses and incremental effects.
• The release of endorphins and neuropeptides relieves pain and promotes wellbeing.
• By activating the pain regulating mechanisms such as neural gates in the posterior horns of the spinal nerves, chronic pain can be significantly reduced.
• Reduction in the reception and perception of pain and other unpleasant stimuli by activating pathways in the brain.
• Real-time brain imaging studies show acupuncture positively influencing several brain regions including the limbic system, thereby reducing pain and the emotional unpleasantness of pain and other experiences like tinnitus and nausea.
• Acupuncture has anti-inflammatory, immune-regulating, and anti-allergy effects.
• Acupuncture relaxes shortened, spasming muscles thereby releasing pressure on joint structures, tendons, and nerves. This along with vasodilation normalizes blood circulation promoting nourishment and detoxification of starved tissues, including stimulating internal organs.
• Acupuncture has a balancing effect on the autonomic nervous system thereby relaxing over-activity and improving under-functioning.