What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin, solid needles to alleviate pain and to bring balance within the human body. This term today also incorporates other TCM treatment modalities including moxibustion (herbal heating method), cupping, guasha, tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) and many others.

In the Western biomedical perspective, the insertion of acupuncture needles causes a few known physiological events to happen that may prove to benefit the human body:

1. The release of endogenous endorphines. [3] Pain relief.

2. Limbic system regulation. [2] Stress/endocrinal disorders/addiction.

3. Sedation of the sympathetic nervous system. [1] Stress/gastrointestinal disorders.

4. Regulates intrinsic cortisol levels. [4] Functional/inflammatory disorders.

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What does this all mean?

Acute and chronic pain associated with traumatic injuries from car accidents and sports CAN get better. Office-related injuries--headaches, neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, arm pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and many others--CAN be treated by acupuncture with great results. Acupuncture CAN help cope with stress and tension from work and family. Patients CAN find relief for their GERD, diarrhea, and/or constipation through acupuncture.


For more detailed information, please visit "Acupuncture, A Brief Introduction" at www.acupuncture.com

References

1. Carpenter, R., Dillard, J., Zion, A., Gates, G., Bartels, M., Downey, J., & De Meersman, R. (2010). The acute effects of acupuncture upon autonomic balance in healthy subjects. The American Journal Of Chinese Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 38(5), 839-847.

2. Cho, S., Jahng, G., Park, S., Jung, W., Moon, S., & Park, J. (2010). fMRI study of effect on brain activity according to stimulation method at LI11, ST36: painful pressure and acupuncture stimulation of same acupoints. Journal Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 16(4), 489-495.

3. Petti, F., Bangrazi, A., Liguori, A., Reale, G., & Ippoliti F. (1998). Effects of acupuncture on immune response related to opioid-like peptides." J Tradit Chin Med. (Roma, Italy), 18(1), 55–63.

4. You, W., Shi, Y.J., Han, Y.J., Jia, B.H., & Tu, Y. (2010). Effect of electroacupuncture of "Baihui" (GV 20)-"Yintang" (EX-HN 3) on the expression of glucocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA of the chronic stress model rats. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu (Beijing, China), 35(4), 261-6. Chinese.