What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been developed and researched over centuries to give us a complex and detailed understanding of the body’s energetic balance. Today, acupuncture is practised all around the world and clinical trials are confirming its efficacy in the treatment of a range of conditions.

In general, acupuncture is described as a therapy that treats symptoms via the insertion of very fine needles in the skin, at certain points along pathways. These pathways are called meridians, and their function is to transport blood and energy, called ‘qi’ in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each meridian is associated with particular physiological systems and internal organs.

Qi is believed to help regulate and balance the body’s functions. Disease can be the result of an imbalance of the flow of qi in the body. It might be caused by the influence of stress, diet or living conditions. For instance, chronic pain is often caused by the obstruction of qi and blood in the meridians. This obstruction can be resolved with the use of specific acupuncture points on the meridians, helping to restore and regulate the flow of qi.

In Western scientific terms, the needling sensation unique to acupuncture stimulates the body’s release of neurochemicals such as endorphins (a class of opiates naturally produced by the brain to provide pain relief). By stimulating high threshold, small diameter nerves in the muscles, neural messages are sent to the spinal cord and activate the brain stem and hypothalamus, which, in turn, trigger endogenous opioid mechanisms.

Another western scientific theory suggests that acupuncture works through the ‘gate control’ theory of pain, in which the input of the needle inhibits the sensory input of pain in the central nervous system.

Research also suggests that the presence of the needle within the tissue of the body stimulates vascular and immunomodulatory factors such as mediators of inflammation.

Whatever health issues you may have, there’s a very good chance that we can help you or point you to someone who can.