How It Works
Acupuncture is based on the concept of balancing the “energy/Qi” that moves through the body and regulates the various bodily functions. This energy is mapped by a system of what we call meridians or channels, each meridian governing a different body-function system, such as respiration, digestion, hormones, and circulation.
Although you cannot see these meridians, you can feel them when you massage up or down a channel. It is usually painful, especially if there is a blockage in that meridian. Think of a water channel and how nasty the water gets if the fluid isn’t allowed to flow freely, bad stuff starts to congeal.
Since we are supposed to be 70 to 80% water, the same can be true of the human body. Toxic fluids start to accumulate, like the waste products of metabolism, or lactic acid in the muscles, all because of poor circulation. And acupuncture addresses that. In addition, inserting needles into acupuncture points sends electrical impulses to the brain which then releases endorphins and regulates serotonin levels.
What It Treats
Acupuncture is mostly recognized for the management of pain. However, because the guiding principle is the “free flow of qi” (or moving lymphatic fluids and blood, and unlocking muscles), you will notice that general body functions start to improve as well.
More information about the efficacy of acupuncture is available on the following links: