Different Theories On How It Works
The cultural construct of East Asian medicine holds that the human body is a part of nature. Body Qi resonates with the Qi of the natural world, as stated in the aphorism: ‘If there is free flow, there is no pain; if there is pain, there is no free flow’. Observing when water flows in a stream, life abounds in and around it. If the stream is blocked, areas below the blockage are deprived, and areas above the blockage collect excess water, which stagnates and rots.

The body is seen as having channels or meridians of streaming Qi, Blood, and Fluid. If moving freely, life is fostered and health is maintained. If obstructed, there is pain, congestion and eventually illness. Acupuncture moves Qi, Blood and Fluids, it supplies where there is deficiency, drains where there is excess, and moves through where there is obstruction.

The modern biomedical construct of Western research has confirmed that acupuncture causes neural and extra neural biomechanical and biochemical changes. We have known for some time that acupuncture stimulates the brain’s release of endorphins, but that the endorphin release alone cannot account for all of acupuncture’s therapeutic effect. Reflex stimulation accounts for the sympatholytic effect that spreads throughout a body segment releasing vasoconstriction that is caused by muscle shortening common to pain and spasm. When the muscle releases, the pain and spasm resolve.

Extra neural changes are responses outside of the nervous system. When a needle is inserted into a point it penetrates into the connective tissue, causing a tiny wound, discharging injury potential. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) is delivered to the injured site which in turn induces DNA synthesis and stimulates collagen formation in the connective tissue. The effects of this stimulation last several days until the tiny wounds heal. Since connective tissue is a contiguous fabric wrapping the entire body, as well as every organ, muscle, vessel, nerve, down to every single cell, it is theorized that the channel system for the streaming of Qi lies in the connective tissue.

Within this connective tissue there is also a measurable electrical phenomenon called ‘piezo electric effect’. Acupuncture points are known to have increased electrical conductivity and decreased electrical resistance. They act as little gates or doors where stimulation, even touch, enters deep into the body.

Conditions It Works Best For
Traditionally acupuncture has been used to treat a wide range of conditions. Based on clinical experience, the World Health Organization lists more than 40 conditions for which acupuncture lends itself as a treatment modality, including a variety of digestive, emotional, eye-ear-nose-throat, gynecological, neurological and respiratory conditions. Further information on conditions treated by acupuncture as well as links to studies on acupuncture can be found at www.aaom.org/default.asp?pagenumber=5060.

Government and medical society clinical guidelines and recommendations, which are based on an in-depth review of scientific and clinical evidence, indicate that acupuncture is an accepted part of the therapeutic regimen for the treatment of substance use disorders, nausea caused by chemotherapy, surgical anesthesia and pregnancy, adult post-operative pain, and a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.

Further research and research reviews point towards the benefits of acupuncture for angina pectoris, cancer pain, depression, fibromyalgia, knee osteoarthritis, neck pain, rotator cuff tendonitis, stroke, back pain, dental pain, headache and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Federally funded research studies are currently being conducted on the use of acupuncture for chronic diarrhea in HIV patients, fibromyalgia, back pain, menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer, dental pain, depression during pregnancy, cocaine dependence, drug abuse in HIV patients and carpal tunnel syndrome.

It may be useful to ask the acupuncturist what their experience is in treating a particular disorder. Because some practitioners may specialize in certain areas, they may or may not have expertise with a particular problem.

Content last modified on Jun 28, 2005